Bangladesh Visa on Arrival (VOA) Guide: A-Z Requirements, Eligibility, and Fees

I. Getting Started: VOA Fundamentals, Fees, and Warnings (A-C)

A. VOA Status: A Privilege, Not a Guaranteed Right (Critical Warning)

The Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Bangladesh is a facility provided for select international travelers, but it is officially designated as a privilege, not a right. The ultimate decision to grant or deny entry rests entirely with the Bangladeshi immigration officer at the port of entry. This discretionary power means that denial is possible, even if you meet all documented requirements. For business and high-value travelers, rigorous preparation is mandatory, as professional status does not bypass the immigration officer’s final judgment.   

B. Advance Visa vs. VOA: Why Experts Recommend Planning Ahead

Diplomatic missions, including the U.S. Embassy, strongly advise all travelers to obtain a visa from a Bangladeshi Embassy or Consulate before departure.   

Feature	Visa Secured in Advance	Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Validity	Typically 1 to 5 years (Multiple-Entry)	Strict 15–30 Days Maximum (Single Entry)
Flexibility	High (Allows re-entry and long stays)	Low (Difficult and time-consuming extension process)
Cost (US Citizens)	Approximately $160 USD [2, 4]	$50 USD (plus tax), totaling ~$51 USD

While the advance visa fee may be higher, it offers critical certainty and the flexibility of multiple entries, making it the preferred route for anyone planning a stay longer than 30 days or requiring repeat visits.   

C. Core VOA Eligibility: Duration and Primary Purposes

The VOA is intended strictly for short-term stays, limited to a maximum of 30 days, and issued as a single entry only. VOA is available for travelers whose primary purpose falls under the following categories:

• Tourism    
• Business, Trade, and Investment    
• Official Government Duties    

II. VOA Eligibility Requirements and Exclusions (D-G)

D. Who Qualifies? Eligible Nationalities

Nationals from the following geographic groups and countries are typically eligible to apply for VOA upon arrival :

• North America & Oceania: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
• Europe: United Kingdom (UK) and all other European countries.
• Asia & Eurasian Region: Russia, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Brunei Darussalam, Nepal, and Indonesia.
• Middle East & GCC: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, and Turkey.
• South America: Brazil.

VOA is also available to nationals traveling directly from a country where Bangladesh does not operate an Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate.

E. Detailed Requirements by Travel Purpose

Eligibility requires specific, verifiable documentation tied to the reason for travel:

• Tourism: Must present a return or onward flight ticket and confirmed accommodation details (e.g., hotel booking).   
• Business/Trade/Investment (B-E Visas): Requires a letter of introduction from the home company and a formal invitation letter from the counterpart organization in Bangladesh. Crucially, the local inviting company must inform the immigration authority (Directorate of Immigration and Passport) in advance of the visitor’s arrival. Lack of this mandatory advance notification often leads to VOA rejection.   
• Government/Official Duty: Officials from foreign diplomatic missions, the United Nations (UN), or affiliated organizations are eligible upon presenting official documentation. UN passport holders are generally issued the VOA free of charge.   

F. Special Entry: Bangladeshi Origin Nationals and NVR

• Bangladeshi Origin Foreign Nationals: Foreign citizens of Bangladeshi descent (including their spouses and children) can receive a VOA by providing documentary proof of their origin, such as a previous Bangladeshi passport, birth certificate, or evidence of a “No Visa Required” (NVR) seal.
• NVR Seal: For eligible foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin planning frequent or extended trips, the NVR seal is superior to VOA, providing long-term, hassle-free entry. An application should be made through a Bangladeshi embassy or consulate.

G. Key Exclusions: Indian Passport Holders and Frequency Limits

• Indian Nationals: Indian passport holders are explicitly excluded from the VOA program and must obtain a visa in advance from a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission.
• Frequency Limit: A foreign national may use the VOA facility not more than twice in a calendar year. Frequent business travelers must utilize the standard advance visa process to maintain compliance.   

III. Pre-Arrival Preparation: Documentation and Online Steps (H-L)

H. Mandatory Document Checklist

Travelers must have the following documents ready for inspection by the immigration officer:

1. Valid Passport: Must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry.
2. Return/Onward Ticket: Proof of confirmed exit from Bangladesh.
3. Accommodation Proof: Hotel reservation or sponsorship letter detailing local stay.   
4. Proof of Funds: Evidence of at least $500 USD (or equivalent).
5. VOA Acknowledgement Receipt: Hard copy obtained after completing the recommended online pre-registration (see K).   
6. Supporting Letters: Business invitation or official duty letters, if applicable.   
7. Invitation Letter: For tourism purposes.   

I. Financial Requirements: The $500 USD Minimum and Fees

Travelers (except those on official government duty) must demonstrate financial capacity :

• Minimum Funds: Possess at least $500 USD or the equivalent amount in cash (USD, Euro, or Pound sterling) or accessible via credit card.
• VOA Fee: The official fee is $50 USD plus tax. The practical cost is approximately $51 USD, which must be paid in foreign currency cash, with U.S. dollars being the mandatory or preferred tender.

J. Business Traveler Sponsor Notification (Mandatory)

For business or investment purposes, the local inviting company must initiate a pre-notification process by informing the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP) or the relevant Special Branch authorities about the foreign visitor’s pending arrival. Failure to complete this advance notification risks VOA rejection.   

K. Online VOA Pre-Registration (Recommended Step)

To streamline the on-site process, travelers are strongly encouraged to use the official online portal (https://voa.specialbranch.gov.bd/login) for preliminary application.

The key steps are :   

1. Register: Create an account via ‘Signup’.   
2. Activate: Click the link sent to your email.   
3. Sign In & Apply: Log in and click ‘Apply for VoA’.   
4. Form Completion: Fill out Part A, including personal details and intended address in Bangladesh.   

L. Acknowledgment and Printout

Upon successful digital submission, applicants must print the completed form and the crucial VoA ‘Acknowledgement Receipt’. This hard copy is required at the airport immigration counter.   

IV. Arrival Process: Airports, Counters, and Payments (M-P)

M. Designated VOA Ports of Entry: Focus on Airports

The VOA facility is most reliably accessed at the following major international airports :

1. Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
2. Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport.
3. Sylhet Osmani International Airport.

N. VOA at Land Ports: Caution Advised

While VOA may be technically available at land ports for U.S. citizens traveling for tourism, diplomatic bodies strongly advise against relying on this. Land port decisions are highly discretionary, and logistical complexities often lead to significant delays or potential refusal. Travelers planning a land entry should secure their visa in advance.   

O. VOA Procedure at the Airport

Upon arrival, follow this mandatory sequence :

1. Locate the dedicated Visa on Arrival (VOA) area (e.g., at the bottom right of the escalator in Dhaka HSIA).
2. Proceed to the designated SONALI BANK PLC. counter.
3. Pay the VOA Fee ($50 + tax, typically ~$51 USD) in U.S. dollars cash and obtain the official bank receipt.   
4. Join the VOA queue next to the bank, presenting your receipt and all supporting documents (including the Acknowledgement Receipt).
5. Receive the VOA stamp in your passport.
6. Proceed to the general immigration counter for final entry clearance.

P. Payment Method: USD Cash is Mandatory

The VOA fee must be paid in foreign currency cash, with U.S. dollars being the required or highly preferred currency. The total fee is approximately $51 USD.   

V. VOA Constraints and Regulatory Limits (Q-T)

Q. Duration and Entry Limit

The VOA grants a maximum stay of 30 days and is strictly limited to a single entry. Travelers needing multiple entries or a longer stay must obtain an advance visa.   

R. Fee Exemptions

While the standard fee is $50 USD (plus tax), certain diplomatic officials, such as United Nations passport holders, are issued the VOA free of charge.   

S. Re-Entry Limits: The “Twice Per Year” Rule

Eligible foreign nationals may utilize the VOA facility not more than twice in a calendar year. This regulatory limit encourages frequent visitors to transition to the long-term, multi-entry visa framework through diplomatic channels.   

T. Consequences of Denial and Non-Compliance

• Denial of Entry: Failure to meet requirements (e.g., insufficient funds below $500 USD, or invalid/unsatisfactory documents) can result in immediate denial of entry, requiring the traveler to board the next departing flight.
• Passport Issues: If a passport is lost or expires, the visa must be replaced or transferred at the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) office in Dhaka.

VI. Post-Arrival Immigration Adjustments (U-Z)

U. VOA Extension: Difficulty and Time Constraints

The 15- to 30-day VOA duration is often insufficient, necessitating an extension. However, applying for an extension post-arrival is widely reported to be a difficult and time-consuming bureaucratic process that is not guaranteed to succeed.

V. The DIP Process: The Bureaucratic Burden

All visa extension applications are managed by the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP), located in Agargaon, Dhaka. The process often requires applicants to make multiple physical visits over several days.

The DIP utilizes an online application portal for submission of extension requests :   

1. Fill out and submit the online application form.   
2. Print the completed form.   
3. Submit the printed form along with required documents (passport, 45mm x 35mm photo (optional), proof of residence) and proof of fee payment to the DIP office.   

W. Conversion Timeline: 15-Day Deadline

For travelers (e.g., investors, business executives) who enter on a VOA but require long-term status, VOA conversion is possible but subject to a strict deadline: the application for a change of visa category must be submitted to the Security Services Division within 15 days of arrival.

X. Eligible Conversion Categories and Fees

VOA status can only be converted to the following specific visa categories: A2 (Trade), E1/E2/E3 (Investment/Business), or P1 (Student).

• An additional visa fee equivalent to $100.00 USD per person is levied for the conversion process.
• If approved, the new status is considered the first visa of that specific category.   

Y. Passport and Visa Transfer

If a traveler receives a new passport while holding a valid Bangladeshi visa or NVR seal, the visa/seal must be officially transferred to the new document at the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) office.

Z. Official Contacts and Resources

For the most authoritative guidance, travelers should refer to these government resources:

• Official VOA Application/Instructions Portal: https://voa.specialbranch.gov.bd/login and https://voa.specialbranch.gov.bd/public/voa-instructions.html .
• Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP): Passport Bhaban, E-7, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka -1207. Phone: +88028159525.