Bangladesh gives visitors two doors. Most people go through the first: a visa applied for in advance through the online form at visa.gov.bd and a Bangladesh embassy, high commission or consulate. A smaller group can use the second: a visa on arrival (VOA) at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The flight rules are not the same for both, and they also vary between missions. Below we cover who needs what, quote what the official pages say about air tickets, and explain honestly when a flight reservation fits and when you should hold a real, paid return ticket. Indian passport holders are our main example throughout.
Bangladesh visa: key facts
| Question | Official answer |
|---|---|
| Who needs a visa? | Nationals of most countries need a valid visa to enter Bangladesh.[5] |
| Tourist visa length | Up to 3 months, single entry; validity runs from the date of issue, not your travel date. A one-month extension is possible from the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka.[5] |
| Indian citizens | Visa needed; the High Commission in New Delhi's checklist says no fee is required for Indian citizens.[6] |
| Flight ticket for a tourist visa | Depends on the mission: not on the New Delhi tourist checklist; "Flight reservation to and from Bangladesh" in Dubai; "Travel itinerary/air ticket reservation" in New York.[5][6][7] |
| Visa on arrival | Maximum 30 days, single entry, for eligible travellers only; needs a return ticket for a short stay and at least US$500 in cash or on a credit card.[1][4] |
| Passport | At least 6 months' validity, with two blank pages at the Dubai consulate.[5][6] |
Who needs a Bangladesh visa?
Almost everyone. The Consulate General in Dubai puts it simply: nationals of most countries require a valid visa, and the type, category and length of stay depend on purpose, duration and bilateral arrangements with your country.[5] GOV.UK tells British travellers they need a visa for visits of up to three months unless they hold a "no visa required" stamp, which is available to some British nationals of Bangladeshi origin.[8]
Indian citizens need a visa too. The High Commission in New Delhi publishes checklists for tourist, business, employment, student and other categories, all starting with the online form from visa.gov.bd, and each one states that Indian citizens pay no visa fee.[6] Indians are not among the nationalities named for visa on arrival, so plan on applying in advance.
What the official tourist visa checklists ask for
Here is how three missions word their tourist lists. The differences are the whole story for flight documents.
| Mission | Flight wording | Other main items | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Commission, New Delhi (India) | No flight item on the tourist checklist[6] | Online form (2 copies), 2 photos 45x35mm, passport with 6 months' validity, old passports, Aadhaar copy, invitation from a Bangladeshi citizen with their ID, or a hotel booking plus 3 months of bank statements[6] | None for Indian citizens[6] |
| Consulate General, Dubai (UAE residents) | "Flight reservation to and from Bangladesh", also uploaded with the online form[5] | Emirates ID or residence visa, employer NOC, invitation or hotel booking confirmation[5] | Set by reciprocity; non-refundable[5] |
| Consulate General, New York (USA) | "Travel itinerary/air ticket reservation", depending on purpose[7] | Online form, 37x37mm photo, passport valid 6 months[7] | US$160 for US nationals[7] |
Notice the word "reservation" in both Dubai's and New York's lists. Neither asks for a paid ticket. Dubai goes further and warns applicants off buying one: an itinerary or air ticket does not speed up your application, and you should not book non-changeable or non-refundable travel until the visa is granted.[5] It also recommends not buying an air ticket until your passport, with the visa in it, is back with you.[5]
For Indian applicants: the New Delhi tourist checklist does not ask for a flight at all. Your effort goes into the invitation letter or hotel booking and the bank statements. A reservation is optional, and only worth adding if you want your dates shown clearly.
Who can get a visa on arrival in Bangladesh?
Eligibility is narrower than many travel blogs suggest, and the official wording isn't identical across sources. Here is what the official pages say:
- Special Branch, Bangladesh Police (which runs the VOA system): visitors from countries where Bangladesh has no embassy or mission, and from countries that give Bangladeshis landing permits or visa on arrival, plus foreign investors, exporters and people attending government-organised seminars.[1]
- High Commission, London: VOA of up to 30 days for government work, tourism, business and investment for people from the UK, any European country, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey and Brunei; also nationals of, or people travelling from, a country with no Bangladeshi mission; and foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin with their spouses and children.[3]
- Consulate General, Dubai: UAE nationals are eligible for VOA at the airport.[5]
The conditions are consistent across these pages. VOA is granted for a maximum of 30 days, single entry, at the immigration officer's discretion after checking your documents. You pay the fee at the airport in cash, in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling. Travellers not on government duty need at least US$500 in cash or on a credit card, and short-stay visitors need a return ticket.[1][4] Special Branch adds that you should use the same port for entry and departure.[1] GOV.UK describes VOA as single entry, valid for 15 to 30 days, and "not guaranteed".[8]
You may be able to pre-register online through Special Branch's VOA portal before you fly.[2][8] It doesn't change the documents you must carry.
Does a flight reservation count for visa on arrival?
Here we'd be cautious. The VOA condition is a "return ticket". Our kind of reservation exists in the airline system under a PNR, yet no fare has been paid, so it falls short of a ticket. At the immigration desk in Dhaka, the officer is the one deciding, and the officer is checking whether you will leave. If you are relying on VOA, we'd tell you to purchase an actual fare out of Bangladesh, choosing a refundable one if dates may shift.
There is also the airline to think about before you even reach Dhaka. The Dubai consulate's VOA notice warns that some airlines flying from US airports may not board passengers who hold no visa, and tells travellers to check with their carrier.[4] If an airline isn't comfortable boarding a VOA passenger, a paid return ticket and US$500 in your wallet are the strongest answers you can give. If you need more than 30 days or multiple entries, apply for a visa before you travel; VOA can't give you either.[4]
Don't stake a trip on VOA unless you are clearly eligible. If your nationality or situation is not named, apply for a visa through visa.gov.bd and the mission for where you live.
Pre-arranged visa or VOA: which flight document fits
| Situation | What the official page asks for | Does a held reservation fit? | Our advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian citizen, tourist visa via New Delhi | No flight item[6] | Not needed | Focus on invitation or hotel and bank statements |
| UAE resident, tourist visa via Dubai | Flight reservation to and from Bangladesh[5] | Yes, matches the wording | Reservation with live PNR; buy after visa |
| US applicant via New York | Travel itinerary or air ticket reservation[7] | Yes, matches the wording | Reservation or written itinerary |
| Visa on arrival at Dhaka | Return ticket for a short stay, US$500[1][4] | May not satisfy "ticket" | Buy a paid, ideally refundable, return |
| Flying in after your visa is issued | Airline and border checks | Not a substitute for a ticket | Travel on a paid ticket |
Applying from India, step by step
- Complete the online form at visa.gov.bd and print two copies.[6]
- Get two recent photos on a white background, 45x35mm.[6]
- Collect your passports: the original with at least six months' validity, any old passports, and a copy of the first and last pages.[6]
- Show your reason and your stay: an invitation from a Bangladeshi citizen with a copy of their NID or passport, or a hotel booking in Bangladesh with your last three months of bank statements.[6]
- Add the Indian extras: an Aadhaar copy and, for professionals, proof of profession and a no-objection certificate.[6]
- Submit to the High Commission or the mission it directs you to, and confirm current appointment arrangements on its official site first.
- Buy flights or train tickets once the visa is in your passport.
If you'll stay at a Bangladeshi friend's home, the checklist also asks for a copy of that person's ID.[6] Many Indians travel to Bangladesh overland or by rail rather than by air. We could not confirm from an official page how entry ports are recorded on visas issued in India, so ask the High Commission if you plan to cross by land.
Applying from Dubai or elsewhere in the Gulf
If you live in Dubai or the Northern Emirates, the Consulate General in Dubai handles your application; Abu Dhabi residents apply to the Embassy in Abu Dhabi.[5] Bangladesh had not introduced an e-visa there when we checked, so you hand in your original passport. Submit at least five working days before travel, and allow a minimum of seven working days for a standard application.[5] Yes, those two figures don't sit comfortably together. Our advice is to ignore the five-day minimum and apply two to three weeks ahead.
Fees are paid at Foshwa Global's counter by cash or card, and are set by reciprocity with your nationality.[5] For the flight item, a reservation from your Gulf city to Dhaka and back, dated within your planned trip, matches the wording "Flight reservation to and from Bangladesh". Upload the same reservation with the online form as the consulate asks.
An example trip
Say you're a Pakistani passport holder living in Sharjah, planning ten days in Dhaka and Sylhet from 3 to 13 March for a cousin's wedding. You're not on the VOA list, so you apply to the Dubai consulate in mid-February. Your file: printed online form, two photos, passport and copy, Emirates ID, employer NOC, your cousin's invitation letter with a copy of their Bangladeshi NID, and a flight reservation Sharjah to Dhaka on 3 March, Dhaka to Sharjah on 13 March. Once the passport comes back with the visa, you buy the actual fares. The reservation and the bought ticket don't need to be on the same airline, as long as you travel within the visa's validity.
When to book and how long a visa lasts
A Bangladesh tourist visa's validity starts on the day it's issued, not on the travel date you entered.[5] That matters. A three-month visa issued on 1 February ends in early May, however late you fly. Apply close enough to your trip that the validity covers it.
If you include a reservation, book it one or two days before you submit. Our form displays the hold period before you pay, so you can line it up with your appointment. Overstaying is not an option to plan around; for more time, the Dubai consulate points to an extension from the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka, supported by a letter from a local sponsor and a police clearance.[5]
Mistakes that cause problems
- Assuming VOA is open to everyone. It isn't, and an airline may refuse boarding.
- Arriving on VOA with an unpaid booking instead of a return ticket and US$500.
- Using another mission's checklist. New Delhi, Dubai and New York differ.
- Paying for a fixed, non-refundable fare ahead of approval, which the Dubai consulate advises against.
- Incorrect details on the online form, which missions say can lead to outright rejection.[5]
- Submitting anything altered. Use only genuine documents.
Our flight reservation for a Bangladesh visa
Where a mission asks for a flight reservation or itinerary, we can issue one in your name carrying a live PNR that shows up under "Manage booking" on the airline's site. Nothing is paid, so you can't fly on it, and for visa on arrival it may fall short of the return-ticket condition.
A single price per passenger covers one-way and return alike. Routings with several stops, for example Dubai to Dhaka, Dhaka to Kathmandu and back to Dubai, are priced per pair of legs on the price page. You'll usually have the PDF in about 10 minutes. Pay through Razorpay using UPI, a card or netbanking, and check progress on order tracking. Before submitting, confirm the PNR yourself using this verification guide.
More reading: what a flight reservation for a visa is, our onward ticket overview, hotel bookings for visa files, and requirements across countries. Nearby countries: Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. If you are a Bangladeshi citizen travelling abroad, see our guide for Bangladeshi travellers, and the Schengen guide for Europe. Order on the booking page or visit our homepage.
Mission asking for a flight reservation?
Live PNR in your passport name, sent in around 10 minutes. AED 33 / ₹699 / $9.
Bangladesh's missions issue visas and its immigration officers decide entry. No reservation, and no agent, can guarantee either.
Your Bangladesh visa questions answered
Is a visa required for Indians visiting Bangladesh?
Yes. Indian citizens apply in advance using the online form at visa.gov.bd and submit it to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi or the mission it directs them to. The New Delhi checklist states that no visa fee is required for Indian citizens. Indians are not named among the nationalities eligible for visa on arrival.
Is a flight ticket required for a Bangladesh tourist visa?
It depends on where you apply. The New Delhi tourist checklist for Indians has no flight item. The Dubai consulate asks for a flight reservation to and from Bangladesh, and New York lists a travel itinerary or air ticket reservation. Dubai advises against buying non-refundable travel until the visa is granted.
What do I need for a Bangladesh visa on arrival?
You must be eligible first. Then carry a passport, a return ticket if your stay is short, and at least US$500 in cash or on a credit card, and pay the fee in cash in US dollars, euros or pounds at the airport. VOA is single entry for up to 30 days, at the officer's discretion.
Can I use a dummy ticket for Bangladesh visa on arrival?
We wouldn't. The VOA condition is a return ticket, and an unpaid hold isn't a ticket, and the Dhaka officer may not accept it. Some airlines also check before boarding. Buy a real return, refundable if your plans may change, and keep the reservation idea for mission applications that ask for one.
How long is a Bangladesh tourist visa valid?
A tourist visa can be issued for up to three months with a single entry. Its validity starts from the date of issue, not the travel date on your form. You can apply for a one-month extension from the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka, with a local sponsor's letter and police clearance.
How long does a Bangladesh visa take?
The Consulate General in Dubai asks for at least seven working days for a standard application and says some cases need extra clearance that can't be expedited. Other missions set their own times. Apply two to three weeks before travel where you can, and don't buy fixed tickets until the visa is issued.
Can I pre-register for Bangladesh visa on arrival online?
Yes, if you're eligible. GOV.UK links to the Special Branch online VOA registration, and pre-registering before you travel may smooth things at Dhaka. It doesn't replace the documents checked on arrival: passport, return ticket, US$500 in funds, and the fee in cash.
Sources
All sources last checked: October 2026.
- Special Branch, Bangladesh Police, Visa on Arrival: information.
- Special Branch, Bangladesh Police, Visa on Arrival online registration.
- Bangladesh High Commission, London, Visa on Arrival (VOA) and transit visa.
- Consulate General of Bangladesh, Dubai, Visa on Arrival.
- Consulate General of Bangladesh, Dubai, Visa: general information and tourist visa.
- Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi, Visa checklists, including tourist visa (PDF dated 24 July 2024).
- Consulate General of Bangladesh, New York, Applying for visa.
- GOV.UK, Bangladesh travel advice: entry requirements.
Related: flight reservation for visa · dummy ticket price · requirements by country · how to verify a PNR.