Travelers are advised to obtain a Bangladeshi visa in advance of their trip from the Bangladeshi Embassy or nearest consulate in the U.S.  The visa is generally multiple entry with a validity of 1-5 years depending on your purpose of travel. The fee is $160 USD.

You may also obtain a visa on arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. However, the issuance of this visa is a privilege not a right and is at the sole discretion of the Bangladeshi immigration officer. The fee for a visa on arrival is $50 USD (plus tax), payable in US dollars only. You do not need to bring a passport/visa photo for a visa on arrival. The visa on arrival is only valid for 15-30 days. A longer stay will require that you apply for an extension and this can be time consuming and is not guaranteed. Therefore, the Embassy strongly suggests that travelers obtain their visas in advance of their trips from their nearest Bangladeshi Embassy or consulate.

The Embassy of Bangladesh’s website indicates that a Visa on Arrival is also available to U.S. citizens entering Bangladesh via land ports for specific purposes such as tourism. But again, the U.S. Embassy generally recommends that U.S. citizens planning to visit Bangladesh obtain their visa prior to departure as decisions regarding the issuance of a Visa on Arrival will be entirely up to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

U.S. citizens of Bangladeshi origin may qualify for a “No Visa Required” seal in their passport. To apply for the “No Visa Required” seal contact your nearest Bangladeshi embassy or consulate. You may also contact the Bangladesh Passport and Immigration Authority. Their contact information is:

Passport Bhaban,
E-7, Agargaon,
Sher -e- Bangla Nagar, Dhaka -1207
Phone: 02-8159525

You can download a “No Visa Required” application form from the Department of Immigration and Passports website.

If you obtain a new passport, you will need to have your Bangladeshi visa or seal transferred to the new passport. Visas and “No Visa Required” seals in expired or canceled passports will not be honored by Bangladesh Customs and Immigration. This transfer process can be done at the Bangladesh Embassy or nearest consulate if you are in the United States or at the local Immigration and Passport office if you are in Bangladesh. For more information please visit the Bangladesh Immigration and Passport Office website.

Additionally, please be advised that India typically prohibits anyone on a tourist visa from exiting and returning within a two month period.  That is, once you cross into Bangladesh you would need to remain in Bangladesh for two months before being allowed back into India. However, permission may be obtained in advance to re-enter before that two month threshold. The Indian Bureau of Immigration website may be useful.