Visa on arrival Bangladesh lets many foreign visitors get their visa at the airport instead of at an embassy. But you must apply online first. This simple guide shows every step: who can get it, the documents you need, how to apply on the official website, what to do at Dhaka airport, the fee, how to extend, and what happens if you stay too long.
- What is a visa on arrival?
- Who can get visa on arrival in Bangladesh
- Documents you need
- Step 1: Apply online (12 steps)
- Step 2: At Dhaka airport (6 steps)
- Visa on arrival fee
- Business visitors and investors
- How to extend your VoA
- Overstay fines
- Visa on arrival or advance visa?
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Planning to invest? We can help
- FAQ
1. What is a visa on arrival?
A visa on arrival (VoA) is a visa you get when you reach the country, not before you travel. You do not need to visit an embassy or send your passport by post. This saves time and gives you more freedom to plan your trip.
Not every country offers this. Countries that do usually allow it only for people from certain countries and for certain reasons. A visa on arrival is just one kind of visa; each kind has its own rules.
Bangladesh has two types of VoA:
- On Arrival Visa – for people who want to enter and stay in Bangladesh.
- Transit Visa – for people who are passing through Bangladesh on the way to another country.
2. Who can get visa on arrival in Bangladesh?
A Bangladesh visa on arrival is valid for a stay of up to 30 days for tourism, business, investment or a government job. You may be able to get one if you fall into one of these groups:
- Citizens of listed countries: the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Brunei and European countries, coming for tourism, trade, investment or a government job.
- No Bangladesh embassy in your country: citizens of countries where Bangladesh has no embassy can get a VoA if they explain why they need to travel.
- Travelling from a third country: if you come from a country that is not your own, and that country has no Bangladesh embassy, you may get a VoA after the reason for travel is checked.
- Embassy and UN staff: officials and staff of foreign embassies and the United Nations office in Bangladesh, after their papers are checked.
- People of Bangladeshi origin: foreign citizens born in Bangladesh, and their husband/wife and children, with a Bangladeshi citizenship or origin certificate.
- Foreign investors and traders: with an invitation letter from the inviting company and a certificate from the investment authority (BIDA) or BEPZA. The inviting company must tell the immigration authorities about your arrival in advance.
3. Documents you need for visa on arrival in Bangladesh
Get these ready before you start the online form. Each file can be JPG, JPEG, PNG or PDF and must be 5 MB or less (the photo must be JPG/JPEG/PNG).
| Document | What it should be |
|---|---|
| Face photo | A recent, clear, full-front photo of your face |
| Passport bio-data page | The page with your photo and details, from your current passport |
| Invitation letter | A valid letter from the company, host or authority that invited you |
| Other documents | Only if needed, for example a BIDA/BEPZA certificate for investors |
| At the airport | Printed Acknowledgement Receipt and cash for the visa fee |
4. Step 1: Apply for visa on arrival online (12 simple steps)
Bangladesh now asks VoA travellers to apply online before they fly. Use only the official website: voa.specialbranch.gov.bd. Here is the whole process in plain words.
Create your account
- Sign up: on the login page, click "Signup" and register with a valid email and a password.
- Verify your email: open the email you receive and click the activation link to finish registration.
- Sign in: go back to the login page and sign in with the same email and password.
Start the application
- Click "Apply for VoA": you will find this button at the top right of your Dashboard.
- Read the instructions: read "Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Bangladesh" carefully (English or Bangla).
- Click "I Agreed": this lets you continue with the visa application.
- Choose the VoA type: On Arrival Visa or Transit Visa.
- Fill in Part A – Traveller Information: type everything exactly as it is written in your passport.
Check, upload and submit
- Click "Next" to see a draft: check your Traveller Information. Click "Back" if you want to read the instructions again.
- Print, edit or continue: click "Print" to keep a draft copy, "Edit" to correct anything, or "Next" to go to Part B – Attachments.
- Upload your files (Take Photo/Upload): your face photo, your passport bio-data page, your invitation letter and any other document needed.
- Submit and save your tracking ID: click "Back" if you need to fix Part A, or "Submit" to finish. Copy the tracking ID from the "Visa Application Submitted" message.
After you submit
- Track your application status on the Dashboard with your tracking ID.
- Check your email for updates.
- When approved, print the VoA Acknowledgement Receipt. Download it from "Application Details >> ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT: DOWNLOAD", or use the attachment in the "On-arrival Visa Application Approved" email.
5. Step 2: Visa on arrival at Dhaka airport (6 steps)
When you land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, follow the signs to Arrivals. Go down the stairs; the Visa on Arrival (VOA) area is on your right and has clear signs.
- Follow the signs to the Arrivals section.
- Find the VOA area at the bottom right of the escalator.
- Pay the visa fee at the Sonali Bank PLC counter (USD 50, not counting processing fees, or the fee set by the authority). Only cash is accepted. Keep the receipt.
- Join the VOA queue next to the bank with your passport, bank receipt and the printed Acknowledgement Receipt. The visa is stamped in your passport here.
- Go to immigration. Use the line for airline crew/diplomats, show your VoA and pass through.
- Collect your luggage and pass customs. Bags are scanned, so this part can be a little slow.
The officer may ask you simple questions: why you are visiting, how long you will stay and where you will stay. Answer clearly and keep your hotel booking or host's address ready.
6. Visa on arrival Bangladesh fee
| Item | Amount | Where / how |
|---|---|---|
| VoA fee | USD 50 (excluding processing fees), or as set by the authority | Sonali Bank PLC counter, VOA area, cash only |
| Overstay fine, days 1–15 | BDT 200 per day | Paid when you leave |
| Overstay fine, after 15 days | BDT 500 per day | Paid when you leave |
Fees can change. Always check the latest amount on the official VoA website before you travel, and carry a little extra cash.
7. Visa on arrival for business visitors and investors
Many people use the visa on arrival in Bangladesh for business meetings, factory visits or to look at investment options. If this is your plan:
- Ask the Bangladesh company that invites you for a clear invitation letter that states the purpose and dates of your visit.
- Foreign investors and traders may also need a certificate from BIDA or BEPZA.
- The inviting company must tell the immigration authorities in advance that you are coming.
- Keep company details, meeting schedule and hotel booking with you for questions at the desk.
A VoA lets you visit, but it is not a work permit. If you plan to work in Bangladesh or stay for a long time, you need the right visa and permits. Read our guide on how to invest in Bangladesh to understand the bigger picture.
8. How to extend a Bangladesh visa on arrival
If you entered with a VoA, you can ask to stay longer for tourism, business, investment or a government job. Apply at the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP), next to the passport office in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Be ready for more than one visit to the office on different days. If you already know you will stay longer than 30 days, it is much easier to get a longer visa from a Bangladesh embassy before you travel.
9. What happens if you overstay your visa on arrival?
If you stay longer than your visa allows, you must pay a fine when you leave: BDT 200 per day for the first 15 days and BDT 500 per day after that. On top of the fine, you must also pay for a new visa at the normal advance-visa price for your country, not the USD 50 VoA fee. For example, this is about USD 160 for US citizens, from GBP 105 for UK citizens and AUD 150 for Australian citizens, or the fee set by the authority.
10. Visa on arrival or advance visa: which is better for you?
Both options are legal ways to enter Bangladesh. The right choice depends on your trip. This simple table helps you decide.
| Question | Visa on arrival | Advance visa (embassy) |
|---|---|---|
| Where do I get it? | At the airport after landing (apply online first) | At a Bangladesh embassy or high commission before travel |
| How long can I stay? | Up to 30 days | Depends on the visa type; often longer |
| Is it certain? | Decided by the officer at the airport | You know before you fly |
| Best for | Short visits, meetings, tourism | Long stays, work, many repeat visits |
A simple example
Anna is a buyer from Germany. She wants to visit three garment factories in Dhaka for one week. Her Bangladesh supplier sends her an invitation letter with the visit dates. Ten days before her flight, she applies on the official website, uploads her photo, passport page and the letter, and prints the approved Acknowledgement Receipt. In Dhaka, she pays USD 50 in cash at the Sonali Bank counter, shows her papers at the VOA desk, gets the visa stamp and goes to immigration. The whole airport part takes a short time because she prepared everything at home.
Now think of Li, an investor from China who wants to open a factory and stay for three months. For Li, an advance business visa is the better choice, because a visa on arrival covers only up to 30 days and an extension needs several office visits.
11. Common mistakes to avoid
- Typing your name or passport number differently from your passport.
- Uploading a blurry photo, a selfie with a busy background, or a file bigger than 5 MB.
- Forgetting the invitation letter, or using one without dates and purpose.
- Not printing the Acknowledgement Receipt.
- Carrying only a card; the fee at the bank counter is cash only.
- Using unofficial websites; apply only on the official VoA portal.
- For investors: the inviting company not informing immigration in advance.
12. Simple tips for a smooth arrival
- Check that your passport is valid for your whole trip, with free pages for the visa stamp.
- Keep a return or onward ticket, hotel booking or host address handy.
- Save your tracking ID and the approval email on your phone as well as on paper.
- Arrive with USD cash for the fee and a small amount for transport.
- Stay calm and polite at the desk; short, clear answers work best.
13. Planning to invest in Bangladesh? VATax Advisory & Co. can help
Many of our clients first come to Bangladesh on a visa on arrival to meet partners and see the market. After that, the real work starts: setting up a company and keeping it compliant. VATax Advisory & Co. has years of experience helping foreign investors with the FDI process, and we are happy to help you too.
Before you arrive
- Plan your business visit
- Invitation letter paperwork from your Bangladesh company
- Meeting with our lawyer in Dhaka
Company setup
- FDI company incorporation
- RJSC registration
- TIN, BIN and trade licence
After setup
- Corporate tax advisory
- Monthly VAT and tax compliance
- Compliance retainer
Thinking of a branch office instead? See our guide to a branch office in Bangladesh.
14. Visa on arrival Bangladesh FAQ
Do I need to apply online before I fly?
Yes. Apply on the official VoA website, voa.specialbranch.gov.bd, and print the Acknowledgement Receipt to show at the airport.
How long can I stay on a Bangladesh visa on arrival?
Up to 30 days, for tourism, business, investment or a government job.
How much is the visa on arrival fee?
USD 50, not counting processing fees, or the fee set by the authority. Pay in cash at the Sonali Bank counter at the airport.
Which documents do I need?
A recent face photo, your passport bio-data page and a valid invitation letter, plus other documents if needed. Each file must be 5 MB or less.
Is a visa on arrival guaranteed?
No. The immigration officer at the airport makes the final decision.
Can I extend my visa on arrival?
Yes. Apply at the Department of Immigration and Passports office in Agargaon, Dhaka. It may take several visits.
What is the fine for overstaying?
BDT 200 per day for the first 15 days and BDT 500 per day after that, plus the fee for a new visa.
Visa on arrival Bangladesh is simple when you prepare: apply online, print your receipt, carry cash, and keep your invitation letter ready. Have a safe trip, and contact us if you want help with your investment plans.
Need help with FDI in Bangladesh?
VATax Advisory & Co. helps foreign investors with company incorporation, BIDA and RJSC paperwork, tax and VAT registration, and monthly compliance. Tell us your plan and we will guide you step by step.
Related guides
- Invest in Bangladesh: investor guide
- FDI company registration
- Startup sandbox Bangladesh
- Company incorporation in Bangladesh
Sources: Visa on Arrival (VOA) General Instructions, Special Branch, Bangladesh Police; Department of Immigration and Passports.
Disclaimer: General information as of 29 October 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Visa rules, eligible countries and fees can change, and the immigration officer decides each case. Check the official VoA website before you travel.
