Passport & Visa Formalities

a) Valid passport is required for all foreign nationals for a visit to Bangladesh. However, passports are not required for the holders of identity certificate, laissez passers issued by United Nations and its affiliated bodies, continuous Discharge certificate/Nullies/Seaman Book (Travelling on duty to join or repatriate from ship) issued by any country recognized by Bangladesh.

b) Visas are required for foreign nationals with the following exceptions: Bhutan, Barbados, Bostwoana, Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, Sieara Leone, Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Greneda, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Mauritsus, Malawi, Maldives, Singapore, Switzerland, St. Kitts and Nevis, Ghana and Gabon. 'No visa required' means that no visa is required for stay in Bangladesh upto 90 days only. For further extension of stay permission is required. European, North American and Australian passport holders of Bangladesh origin do not require visa provided they pay US$ 50 or equivalent and have their passports stamped "No visa required for travel to Bangladesh" by Bangladesh Missions abroad.

c) The Immigration Authority may issue Landing permit (LP) or Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) to the following category of visitors:

1. Residents and nationals of the countries where Bangladesh Missions are not located and countries which extend LP or VOA formalities to Bangladesh Nationals (on reciprocal basis); this however will not be applicable to residents and nationals of those countries against which the government has imposed sanction/embargo.
2. Foreign investors with proper documents or documents certified by the officials of the Board of Investment (BOI) or Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) or Ministry of Industry presented at the Airport on arrival.
3. Foreign delegates invited by Ministries or Divisions of the Government of Bangladesh to seminars, workshops or International conventions for only the tenure of the stated event provided written request along with testifying documents satisfies the Immigration Authority.
4. Foreigners directly involved in export oriented establishments with documents & TIN (Tax Identification Number) of the concerned export oriented establishment certified by Federation of Bangladesh chamber of commerce and Industry (FBCCI) or Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) or other Association of Export oriented Institutions of Bangladesh;
5. Foreign passport holders of Bangladeshi origin by birth. their children or spouses;
6. Foreign husband /wife of a Bangladesh national;
7. Foreigners with certified documents issued by Tablig Committee, Kakrail Mosque. Dhaka for the purpose of Tablig Jamat; and
8. Doctor/medical team with invitation letter issued by foreign embassies in Bangladesh. United Nations and lor its affiliate organizations for the purpose. Of emergency treatment and medical care of its officers or employees.

In all cases of LP or VOA the following procedures/conditions must be observed:

1. Arriving foreigners must have a return ticket and at least US$ 500 endorsed in their passport
2. Entry-Exit of persons issued with LPIVOA must be through the same airport; and
3. Landing permitlVisa-on-Arrival may be issued for a maximum period of 30 (thirty) days unless otherwise stated and will not be extended under any circumstances (non extendable).

Currency Regulations

A tourist may bring in any amount of foreign exchange in the form of Traveller's Cheque. foreign currency notes, or other foreign currency instruments provided he makes a written declaration in Form FMJ obtainable from the customs at the port of entry. However. no declaration is required for bringing in foreign exchange to the tune of US$5000 by foreign tourists. While leaving Bangladesh a tourist can take out unspent balance of the foreign currency brought in.

Photography and carrying cameras

Films and processing facilities are widely available everywhere but for convenience you can keep sufficient film with you when visiting remote areas. Always try to ask first before taking photographs to avoid embarrassment.

Always carry your films and camera in your hand baggage. Although most security x-rays at airports are safe for films. those can cause fogging specially of high speed films. As films can be damaged by heat, moisture or humidity, never leave camera and film in closed cars. Protect your camera from sand and dust especially when on the beach.

Tourist Baggage Rules

Tourist Baggage (Import) Rules-1981 shall apply to visitors staying in the country for more than 24 hours but not for more than 06 (six) months on condition that the visitor shall not intend to reside in the country nor shall get remunerated from within it and in that event she/he shall be allowed to import the following items without duty or tax:

1. Personal imitation jewellery of value not exceeding BDT 3000;
2. One in use wristwatch;
3. One cigarette lighter, two fountain pens, one penknife or instrument of similar use that can be carried in pocket or on person;
4. One electric Iron, portable electric plate. a hair drier and an electric shaver;
5. One still camera;
6. One movie camera;
7. One cinematographic camera and a projector;
8. Pair of binocullars;
9. One portable sound recording machine;
10. One portable music system;
11. One portable type writer;
12. One wheel/invalid chair in use
13. One perambulator or go cart;
14. Fire arms for shooting and other sports accessories;
15. Metal objects trophy, medallion, crests etc;
16. Clothing for personal use;
17. Handbag and goods essential for travelling;
18. Other personal wearing apparels, makeup & cosmetics;
19. Spectacles, physical aid and travel clock;
20. Five photographic film or ten film plates;
21. Reasonable quantity of film for movie camera;
22. Two rolls of film for cinematographic camera;
23. Reasonable quantity of toys for use of accompanying children;
24. 200 hundred sticks of cigarette or 50 cigars or Y2 lb. of tobacco or less than 1/2 Ib of hand made cigarettes;
25. Not more than? galon of alcoholic beverages;
26. 1/2 Ib of perfume and toiletries;
27. Not more than BDT 100 of confectionery and non alcoholic beverages;

The exemption is made with the understanding that a tourist shall re-export items 1-15 listed above. In addition he/she may import a non-professional video camera and/or microcomputer with less than 0 I megabyte initial random access memory and C&F value not exceeding BDT 100,000 provided the intention to re-export the said computer and/or video camera is endorsed in passport and also a written declaration of such intentions is made to the Assistant Commissioner of Customs.

Airport Embarketion Fee

All taxes including airport embarkation fee are payable with price of the ticket.

Also for information related to other tour operators in the country.

Some do's and don'ts

To enjoy your stay in Bangladesh, it is important you take into consideration the diverse cultural aspects of this remarkable country. Here is a list of things, which may be helpful to you.

1. While travelling dress appropriately. Women should specially avoid dressing in skimpy outfits.
2. Seek permission first before entering a Mosque, Hindu temple and Pagoda.
3. Take photographs only after receiving permission for the object or person being photographed.
4. Smoking is restricted in some places, so please be careful of smoking in public places and transport.
5. While taking or giving anything always use your right hand.
6. Don't take alcohol openly.
7. Don't eat or drink publicly at daytime during the month of Ramadan (Month of fasting).
   

Tourist Information Centers

Dhaka	Parjatan Head Office Tel: 880-2-8117855-9, /117, 8119192 Zia International Airport Tel: 880-2-8914416
Chittagong	Motel Shaikat Tel: 031-61 1046
Cox's Bazar	Parjatan Holiday Complex Tel: 0341-64246, 63274, 64258,64202,64703
Rangamati	Parjatan Holiday Complex Tel: 0351-63126
Bogra	Parjatan Motel Tel: 051-67024-7, Fax: 66753
Rajshahi	Parjatan Motel Tel: 0721-775492, 770247 Fax: 775237
Rangpur	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 0521-63681 Fax: 62894
Sylhet	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 0821-712426, 715253
Dinajpur	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 053 1-64718
Kuakata	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 0441-64433, 0171-801702
Teknaf	Parjatan Motel Mob: 0 I 1-16475 I
Tungipara	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 06655-56349
Mongla	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 04662-75 I 00
Benapole	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 0421-75411
Khagrachhari	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 0371-62084-5
Bandarban	Parjatan Motel, Tel: 0361-62741-2

 

Sightseeing and Package Tours

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the National Tourism Organization offers sightseeing, cruising, excursion and readymade as well as tailor-made all inclusive guided package tours in and around Dhaka and other places of interest throughout the country at reasonable prices. For booking and details one may contact:

Manager (Tours)
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation
Dhaka 233, Bir Uttam Ziaur Rahman Sarak
Tejgaon, Dhaka- 1215
Phone: 880-2-81 17855-9 Ext: 108, 9120392
Fax: 88-02-812650 I, 81 19192
E-mail: bpctours@yahoo.co.in