Visa Information

 

Citizens of most countries require valid visa to enter Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Bangladesh Consulate General, Los Angeles determines the type and category of visa and duration of stay upon receiving an application. The types and categories differ according to the purpose of visit, length of stay and bilateral arrangement with the country of the foreign national.

Visa on Arrival:
      The immigration authority at the International Airports and Land ports after examining the necessary travel documents and being satisfied can issue visa on arrival for a period of maximum 30 days to the citizens of the countries mentioned below under the following conditions:

      a)    The nationals of those countries where there is no diplomatic mission of Bangladesh may be granted visa on arrival after examining the genuineness of their visits;
      b)    On the basis of invitation letters of interested/ required body being attested by the Board of Investment/ BEPZA, the foreign investors/ businessmen may be allowed to issue visa on arrival. In this case, interested/ inviting organization must informed in advance the arrival of the foreign visitor(s)  to the immigration and passport authority;
      c)    Only for the purpose of the official duty, business, investment and tourism citizens arriving from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and countries of the Europe may be issued visa on arrival after examining and being satisfied by the Immigration authority at the International Airports and Land Ports;
      d)    If any foreign national arrives in Bangladesh from a country other than his/ her own country, where there is no mission of Bangladesh may be issued visa on arrival;
      e)    Bangladeshi origin foreign citizen, their spouses, and their offsprings may be issued visa on arrival, on the proof of their being Bangladeshi origin &
      f)    The staffs/ officials of the foreign Missions, UN or its affiliated organizations located in Bangladesh may be issued visa on arrival after examining their appointment letters or other related documents. Only UN passport holders will get such facilities gratis (free of charge).

      If the foreign visitors require extension of their visa after arriving Bangladesh under visa on arrival, the department of Immigration and Passports Authority may extend their visa in light of the existing visa policy.

      Transit visa may be allowed to the passengers awaiting for connecting flights for the period of maximum 72 hours or till the time of next available of flight on request of the concerned carrier. For this an amount of US$ 20.00 or equivalent to Foreign Currency is to be deposited in the concerned Bank Account. 

In respect of visa on arrival the following procedures to be followed:
      a)    Visa fees are to be paid in Foreign Currencies (US Dollar / GB Pound/ Euro etc);
      b)    Visitors must possess minimum US Dollar 500 or equivalent of Foreign Currency in Cash or Credit Card;
      c)    Visitors must have return ticket;
      d)    Must have necessary documents to justify his/ her visit;
      e)    No visa fee will be applicable for the visitors from those countries which are exempted from visa fee;
      f)    On arrival visa fee will be applicable on the basis of reciprocity only ;

No Visa Required (NVR) Seal:
      The Bangladesh Consulate General in Los Angeles also issues "No Visa Required for Travel to Bangladesh" (NVR) seal to Bangladesh-origin citizens of some foreign countries and their family members (spouse and children). This endorsement allows them multiple entries into Bangladesh with no restriction on duration of stay within the validity of the passport. Click here for more information on 'No Visa Required' (NVR) seal and procedure for submission of application. 

Visa Type	Requirements
Tourist Visa	Travel itinerary/air ticket reservation.
Work visa:	Letter of employment from the employer in Bangladesh and letter of concurrence from concerned Ministry, Board of Investment (BOI), Bangladesh Export Processing Zone (BEPZA). To work in a non-governmental organization (NGO), the applicant should furnish copy of letter of appointment from the NGO with attestation by the Bangladesh NGO Affairs Bureau, Dhaka.
Student visa:	Letter from the concerned educational institution duly attested by the Bangladesh Ministry of Education, Dhaka and Certificate of financial guarantee
Business visa	Letter from the employer in the United States and invitation letter from the host company in Bangladesh clearly stating the purpose of the visit. If you are interested to include your name in the list of interested importers from Bangladesh, please click here.
Investor visa	Letter of recommendation from the Bangladesh Ministry of Industries or the Board of Investment (BOI) or Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), Dhaka.
Missionary visa	Letter of appointment from the Church and “No Objection” from the Bangladesh Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dhaka.
Diplomatic and official visa	Note verbal/letter from the concerned government office/Mission
Journalist visa	Letter of request from the employer/news agency clearly stating the purpose of the visit. Please note that minimum processing time for this category of visa is 2 weeks. Persons/Network/Organization requesting for shooting/filming in Bangladesh are required to fill in Form FF-1 and FF-2, in addition to the visa application form.

Please note that after scrutiny of documents, the Consular Officer may request for an interview and / or submission of additional documents. Issuance of visa may be delayed if reference has to be made to Bangladesh for clearance. The Consulate General may accept or reject any application for visa.

Applying for Visa

To obtain a visa the applicant must submit the following:

1. 1 (0ne) copy of filled-in Visa Application Form.
2. 2 (Two) copy  photographs taken within the last six months.
3. Passport, valid for at least six months.
4. For US nationals Visa Fee is US$ 160 (US$ 190 for Employment Visa). For nationals of other countries, please click here
5. Required documents as stated in the Visa Requirements section based on the type of visa.

Mail in Service: Application for visa and NVR endorsement can also be submitted by mail. For details please click Mail-in-Service.

No Visa Required (NVR) Stamp

For Bangladeshi American:

1. 2 (Two) Copies of passport sized photo (color).
2. US Passport
3. Copy of valid/expired Bangladesh Passport (first 7 pages), or Dual Citizenship Certificate.
4. A $50 (Fifty US dollars) fee in the form of  Money Order or Cashier Check.
5. Self-addressed envelope with required prepaid postage for return delivery of the   passport.

 For foreign wife of Bangladeshi/ Bangladeshi American:

1. 2 (Two) Copies of passport sized photo (color)
2. US Passport
3. Copy of husband's valid/expired Bangladesh Passport (first 7 pages), or Dual Citizenship Certificate.
4. Copy of Marriage certificate.
5. Notarized affidavit/declaration by husband stating that their  marriage is not broken.
6. A $50 (Fifty US dollars) fee in the form of  Money Order or Cashier Check.
7. Self Self-addressed envelope with required prepaid postage for return delivery of the   passport.

For children of Bangladeshi/ Bangladeshi American:

1. 2 (Two) Copies of passport sized photo (color).
2. US Passport.
3. Copy of fathers' valid/expired Bangladesh Passport (first 7 pages), or Dual Citizenship Certificate.
4. Notarized affidavit/declaration by parents stating that he/she is his/her biological son/daughter (Click for sample).
5. A $50 (Fifty US dollars) fee in the form of Money Order or Cashier Check.
6. Self-addressed envelope with required prepaid postage for return delivery of the passport.

Note: Please fulfill all requirements to avoid any delay in processing.

Processing Time

Applications for visa are received at the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles on all working days from 9:30 am to 12.30 pm. Visa is generally processed on the same day provided the application is received before 12:30 am. The passport can be picked up in the afternoon between 3:30 and 4:30 pm. If the Consulate requires more than one day for processing the visa, the applicant will be informed.

Hospitality Booth

A hospitality booth is available at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka to assist investors and importers visiting Bangladesh. Persons willing to obtain the services may be required to produce reference documents from concerned Bangladesh authorities (viz. Board of Investment, BEPZA, BGMEA, FBCCI). The hospitality booth is located inside the main terminal building close to the Immigration Desk and the Customs Enclosure.