Getting a visa in Bangladesh is relatively easy, and there are many different options you can choose from. In this article, you will get a full overview of the visas in Bangladesh and the requirements you need to fulfill to apply for one.
Types of Visas in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has different types of visas depending on the purpose and length of your visit.
| Visa Type | Purpose of Your Stay | Maximum Length of Stay per Visit | Number of entries |
| Business Visa | Conduct feasibility study or set up a company | 6 months, extendable | Multiple |
| Employment Visa | Work | 3 months, extendable | Multiple |
| Investment Visa | Attend business meetings | 3 months, extendable | Multiple |
| Visa on Arrival | Travel / Official Duty for the business | 30 days | Single |
| Transit Visa | Exploration during layover | 3 days | Single |
Short-Term Visas in Bangladesh
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
A Visa on Arrival is the easiest visa to obtain if your nationality is eligible for it. It’s valid for 30 days.
A VOA does not require a corporate or an individual sponsor to give you a recommendation letter if you enter Bangladesh for tourism purposes.
However, note that VOA is not exclusive to tourists. If your purpose is business, keep in mind that you need an invitation letter. The inviting body must be verified by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) or the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
Countries eligible for visa on arrival in Bangladesh
-
- USA
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Russian Federation
- China
- Japan
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- South Korea
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia (KSA)
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Bahrain
- All European Union countries
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
In addition to the countries mentioned, you can receive the visa on arrival if you meet one of the following requirements:
- Foreign nationals that have invitation letters attested by the Board of Investment or BEPZA
- Bangladeshi origin foreign nationals together with their spouses and children without any work in Bangladesh
- Staff working on foreign missions connected with international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) or its affiliates located in Bangladesh
Applying for Visa on Arrival in Bangladesh
In applying, you must possess all the documents that would justify and explain your visit.
You can apply for a Visa on Arrival at the immigration authorities located at the airports and land ports and pay the fee. The fee for a Visa on Arrival in Bangladesh is USD 51.
Once you have paid the fee, you can apply and get a Visa on Arrival stamp in your passport.
After receiving the stamp, you don’t need to wait in the line and can pass the immigration counters without queuing.
How to Extend Your Visa on Arrival in Bangladesh?
You can extend your visa and your stay in Bangladesh. Apply to the Department of Immigration and Authority. Mention the existing visa you have. State the reason why you want to extend it.
All you have to do is fill out the application form, pay the fee and get the receipt. The receipt tells you when you need to come back to claim your visa.
Transit Visa
A transit visa allows the holder to stay in Bangladesh for a maximum of 72 hours. This visa is for those who are passing by the country before they reach their last destination.
It does not require any corporate or individual sponsor. Its prime purpose is to allow people who are passing through Bangladesh to visit the country.
Long-Term Visas in Bangladesh
Business Visa in Bangladesh
Business visa in Bangladesh is valid for six months and as this is a multiple-entry visa. You can extend your business visa to Bangladesh for up to three to five (3-5) years.
A business visa does not allow you to work in Bangladesh. If you plan on getting employed, you need an employment permit.
However, you can use your business visa for conducting activities, such as:
- Meeting your (potential) business partners or government officials
- Visiting various sites for business establishments
- Conducting feasibility studies and market research
- Meeting with the employees
- Setting up a company in Bangladesh
How to obtain a business visa in Bangladesh
Business visa requires a recommendation letter. It may be from an individual or corporate sponsor in Bangladesh. If you don’t have a sponsor in Bangladesh yet, Emerhub can assist you with finding one.
More importantly, Emerhub can also help you acquire a recommendation letter from a corporate sponsor. We can help you with the process of obtaining your business visa in Bangladesh and even in other countries such as Indonesia.
Next, the process of obtaining a business visa in Bangladesh generally takes up to seven working days. Hence, you can claim your visa at your closest foreign embassy of Bangladesh.
Above all, it is recommended to book your tickets once you have received your visa to avoid unnecessary expenses should your visa application be rejected.
Employment Permit
An employment permit in Bangladesh allows its holder to be employed and work in the country. It is a multiple-entry visa, and it is initially valid for three (3) months. Consequently, you can also extend it once it loses its validity. However, keep in mind that the length of validity depends on the duration of the employment contract.
How to get an employment permit in Bangladesh
The process of getting an employment permit in Bangladesh is relatively simple. In contrast to Indonesia, where it can take several months before you can acquire a work permit.
Applying for an employment visa in Bangladesh, on the other hand, generally takes a maximum of seven (7) working days. Therefore, you will receive the visa at your closest foreign embassy of Bangladesh.
When you apply for a work permit in Bangladesh, you will need an appointment letter, a recommendation letter from your employer and, a certificate from the BID.
Emerhub can assist you with the process by collecting and submitting those necessary documents on your behalf.
Investment Visa
The primary purpose of the investment visa in Bangladesh is to permit the holder to attend and hold business meetings. But of course, these meetings must be related to their investments within the country.
The initial validity of this visa is one (1) year with a maximum of three (3) months per visit, meaning that the investor must leave and re-enter Bangladesh every three (3) months. If the investor decides to continue investing in Bangladesh, the visa can be extended up to five (5) years.
How to get an investment visa in Bangladesh?
Take note that this visa requires a recommendation letter. It can be either from a local or a foreign sponsor in Bangladesh. Another prerequisite is that you need a certificate from BEPZA or BOI proving that you have an investment in Bangladesh.
Generally, the process time for this visa is usually seven (7) working days. You will receive the visa from a Bangladesh embassy abroad.
Also, remember that the investment visa does not allow to take up employment. Therefore, if you plan to be employed by a company in Bangladesh, you also need to obtain a work permit.
Are you planning to visit Bangladesh soon?
If you plan on visiting Bangladesh soon, get in touch with Emerhub and let us help you pick the right visa. There are different types of visa in Bangladesh, and we hope you find the right one.
