Bangladesh visas
Whether you need a visa for Bangladesh, and which type, depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Most foreign nationals apply for a Machine Readable Visa through the official portal at visa.gov.bd or at a Bangladesh mission abroad, while a limited list of nationalities can enter visa-free or obtain a visa on arrival. Immigration, entry and visa extensions are administered by the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with investment- and employment-related recommendations handled by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Bangladeshi visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Bangladesh — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.3 visas
- Work visasComing to Bangladesh to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Bangladesh — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Bangladesh.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Bangladesh as a highly skilled individual.2 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Bangladesh long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.3 visas
Bangladeshi visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Bangladesh — key facts
- Visa authority
- Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP), Ministry of Home Affairs
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)
- Time zone
- Bangladesh Standard Time (BST, UTC+6)
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.