Bangladesh Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

The most common type of Bangladesh visa, a tourist visa is a visa that is issued for the travellers who are looking forward to visiting the country for tourism. A Bangladesh tourist visa will allow you to stay in the country for 15 to 30 days per visit, depending on the requirement. The visa also permits multiple entries to the country on one visa allowing you to stay for up to 30 days in one visit. Another advantage to a tourist visa to Bangladesh has is that it can even be extended by applying online. Even a Bangladesh tourist visa for Indians can be obtained through the online application process.

The process of visa application is majorly online. You will have to get the Bangladesh tourist visa application form and submit it following certain consecutive steps. The step by step procedure for this visa is given as follows:

1. Apply online by filling out the online visa application form on the official website.
2. Attach 2 passport size photos to the application form.
3. Provide a valid passport.
4. Confirmed flight tickets (both to and from tickets if the visa is short term).
5. Submit the form along with the scanned copies of the required documents to the Bangladesh mission.

The respective mission will process your documents after the completion of the above procedure. Later, your passport with the visa stamp can be collected from the embassy by yourself or your visa agent.

When filling the form, you need to ensure that you render the information correctly and appropriately. There are chances that with wrong or incorrect data, you may have to go through visa rejection. Such an incidence can even affect your further visa applications.

At the time of applying for the Bangladesh tourist visa, there are certain factors that you need to consider to be able to obtain the visa. The eligibility criteria for the permit are mentioned as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
• If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Bangladesh.
• You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Bangladesh.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements

• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Bangladesh.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Bangladesh.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are several documents that are required in the process of issuing a tourist visa to Bangladesh. The types of documents will differ as per the visa (tourist/visitor) you are applying for. Some of the Bangladesh tourist visa requirements are listed as follows:

• Passport with at least 6 months of validity ahead of the date of journey
• 2 Coloured passport size photographs
• Original ID proofs
• Bank statement of last 6 months
• Confirmed hotel bookings (if staying in a hotel).
• Invitation letter (if invited by a friend or relative).
  

The photo specification of Bangladesh tourist visa are as follows -

• Coloured photos
• Dimensions: 35mm x 45mm
• White background
• Neutral expressions on the face
• Head must be square to the camera
• Any kind of glasses are not allowed
• Headgears are prohibited except for religious reasons
• Photographs shouldn’t be older than 3 months

The time taken for the processing of documents and the visa depends upon several factors. These include the type of visa, the number of entries, the workload at the embassy, and others. The Bangladesh tourist visa is generally processed within the next 4 to 5 business days. The time span may increase or decrease depending upon the factors previously mentioned.

The visa fee for the Bangladesh tourist visa for Indians is actually dependent on certain factors. These include the type of visa, the validity of the visa required, the urgency of the visa issuance, etc. The fee includes the charges paid to the High Commission of Bangladesh and the visa services that you avail. The fees can be paid online or offline when you are submitting the visa. 

With the completion of the process, you will just be left to wait for the processing of your documents and the application form. You need to remember a few things in the meanwhile -

• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.

The status of a tourist visa to Bangladesh is easy to track online. In order to check the status, all you have to do is visit the official website with your visa application number or the verification code and check the status by entering the numbers. You can even check the status offline by calling the embassy with your visa application number.

After obtaining the visa, you need to make sure that your actions do not get the visa cancelled. There are rules and regulations that are to be followed in order to do so. Some pointers can be found in the following:

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Bangladesh within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border
• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Bangladesh

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.