For foreign nationals travelling to Bangladesh
Bangladesh Visa on Arrival & ED Card Guide
Understand Visa on Arrival eligibility, documents, online pre-arrival formalities, and the ED Card process before you travel to Bangladesh.
Foreign nationals planning a visit to Bangladesh should first understand which visa route applies to them. This guide begins with the Visa on Arrival (VoA) process, then explains the separate ED Card or electronic arrival/departure declaration required for foreign passport holders travelling to or from Bangladesh.
Part 1: Bangladesh Visa on Arrival (VoA)
A Visa on Arrival is a facility through which an eligible traveller may receive a Bangladesh visa after arriving at an approved port of entry. Bangladesh also provides an official online facility to complete advance VoA formalities, upload documents, track the application and download an acknowledgement receipt before travelling.[1]
Who may be eligible for Visa on Arrival?
VoA is not available automatically to every foreign passport holder. According to the Bangladesh Immigration, Special Branch guidance, it may be available for eligible travellers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Brunei and European countries when travelling for tourism, trade, investment or a government job. Other categories may include travellers from countries without a Bangladesh mission, foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin and their spouse/children, and certain diplomatic, official or UN travellers.[1]
Visa on Arrival: key facts at a glance
| Topic | What travellers should know |
|---|---|
| Maximum stay | Visa on Arrival is generally issued for a stay of up to 30 days.[1] [4] |
| Final decision | Issuance is subject to the immigration authority’s satisfaction at the port of entry. A visa cannot be guaranteed in advance.[1] |
| Fee | Official guidance refers to a USD 50 fee or the authority’s prevailing fee. Check the official portal before travel, as fees and payment requirements may change.[1] [4] |
| Payment | At the airport, follow the current instruction of the designated bank counter and immigration desk. Carry the required foreign currency where applicable.[1] |
| Extension | If you need more time in Bangladesh, arrange a visa extension through the appropriate immigration process before your permitted stay expires. The official visa portal supports extension applications.[3] |
Documents to prepare before travelling
Prepare documents that clearly support your travel purpose. The immigration authority may ask about your visit, intended stay, accommodation and onward plans.
Passport: Carry your current, valid passport and keep a copy of its bio page.
Return or onward ticket: Keep a confirmed return/onward itinerary.
Accommodation or host details: Have a hotel booking or the address and contact details of your host/inviter ready.
Proof of travel purpose: For tourism, keep your itinerary and accommodation details. For business, employer and Bangladesh invitation documents may be needed; the inviting organisation may need to notify immigration in advance.[1] [4]
Proof of funds: The Bangladesh High Commission, London advises travellers to be able to show at least USD 500 or an equivalent amount in cash or by credit card. Confirm the current requirement before departure.[4]
Bangladeshi-origin documents, where applicable: Carry relevant proof of Bangladeshi origin, relationship or NVR status if you are applying under that category.[1] [4]
How to complete advance Visa on Arrival formalities online
Use the official Special Branch VoA platform: voa.specialbranch.gov.bd/register/new.
Create an account
Register with a valid email address and password, then verify your account through the activation link sent to your email.[1]
Choose “Apply for VoA”
After signing in, read the official instruction carefully, agree to the terms and choose the appropriate VoA type.
Enter passport-matched information
Complete the traveller information exactly as it appears in your current passport. Review the draft before continuing.
Upload the requested documents
The official instructions list a recent facial photo, passport bio page, invitation letter where relevant, and other supporting documents if needed. Follow the stated file-format and size limits.[1]
Submit, track and print the acknowledgement
Save your tracking ID, monitor your email and portal dashboard, and print the VoA acknowledgement receipt when it becomes available.[1]
What happens after you land in Bangladesh?
Follow the airport signs for the Visa on Arrival area. The official guidance indicates that travellers complete the applicable payment at the designated bank counter, present the receipt and acknowledgement at the VoA desk, and then proceed to immigration.[1] Keep all supporting documents accessible and answer questions about your visit accurately.
Part 2: ED Card / Arrival Declaration
The ED Card is Bangladesh Immigration’s electronic arrival and departure declaration for foreign travellers. It is a separate travel form from the visa process. Foreign passport holders travelling to or from Bangladesh should complete the relevant ED Card through the official Special Branch platform.
Which ED Card should you complete?
| Your journey | Official link |
|---|---|
| Arriving in Bangladesh | Complete the E-Arrival Card |
| Leaving Bangladesh | Complete the E-Departure Card |
Information you will need for the ED Card
Have your travel details ready before opening the form. The official E-Arrival Card asks for information including:
Personal details: full name, passport number, date of birth, gender and nationality.
Arrival details: country/city of departure, visit purpose, arrival date and flight number.
Bangladesh address: hotel or residential address, local contact number and email address.
Visa details, where applicable: visa number, type, entry type, issue/expiry date and permitted stay duration.[2]
How to complete the ED Card online
Open the official E-Arrival or E-Departure page
Choose the form that matches your direction of travel and use only the official Special Branch links provided above.
Enter details exactly as shown in your passport and travel booking
Use your passport, flight itinerary and Bangladesh accommodation details to reduce errors.
Review and submit the form
Check the passport number, flight number, date and Bangladesh address before submitting. Keep the submitted record or confirmation accessible during travel.
Common questions
Does completing the ED Card mean my Visa on Arrival is approved?
No. The ED Card is a separate arrival/departure declaration. Visa on Arrival eligibility and issuance remain subject to the applicable rules and the immigration authority’s assessment.
Should I apply for Visa on Arrival online before I fly?
Eligible travellers can use the official online platform to complete advance VoA formalities, upload documents, track the application and download an acknowledgement receipt. Carry the acknowledgement and your supporting documents when you travel.[1]
Can I extend a Visa on Arrival after entering Bangladesh?
The official online visa portal provides a visa-extension application facility. Start the extension process before your existing permission expires and follow the direction of the relevant immigration authority.[3]
Can Limpid Travels help with Bangladesh visa matters?
We can provide practical guidance for document preparation, visa-related formalities and the extension process. Visa eligibility, fee assessment and approval always remain with the relevant government authority.
Need help with documents or a visa extension?
If you need assistance understanding the document checklist or the Bangladesh visa-extension process, send us your nationality, purpose of travel and planned dates. We will guide you on the relevant preparation steps. We do not offer visa-approval guarantees.
Ask for visa guidance on WhatsApp