Indian Nationals Visiting Bangladesh: Visa Rules, Exemptions & Entry Requirements

Good news for Indian passport holders: You do not need a visa for tourism stays up to 90 days in Bangladesh.

Entry Requirements (Visa-Free Tourism)

• Valid Indian passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Return/onward ticket
• Sufficient funds for stay
• Completed arrival card (provided on flight/at border)

Visa-on-Arrival Option (If Needed)

Available at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka) for other purposes (business, longer stays, etc.):

• Fee: USD 50 (higher than pre-arranged visa)
• Requires: passport photos, invitation letter (if business), hotel booking
• Validity: typically 30 days, extendable

Pre-Arranged Visa (Recommended for Non-Tourism)

Apply at Bangladesh Deputy High Commission (Kolkata) or High Commission (New Delhi):

• Form + 2 photos + passport + fee (USD 50 tourist, varies otherwise)
• Processing: 3–5 business days
• Validity: 3–6 months, single/multiple entry

Critical Notes

• Rules change. Verify with Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi or Deputy High Commission, Kolkata before travel.
• Overstay penalties are severe: fines, detention, deportation, future bans.
• Non-tourism activities (work, study, journalism, missionary) require appropriate visa—visa-free entry is strictly tourism only.

Land Border Crossings (Popular for Indians)

• Petrapole–Benapole (West Bengal)
• Dawki–Tamabil (Meghalaya)
• Sutarkandi–Sheola (Assam)
• Same 90-day visa-free rule applies.