Southern Asia · Immigration

Bangladesh

36 immigration routes

Bangladesh sits in Southern Asia. Its immigration system runs 36 distinct routes — led by family, work and short stays and visits, each set out in official law. 34 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
36across 12 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
34 of 36cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family11 of the 36 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Southern Asia
Capital
Dhaka
Population
175,686,899
Official language
Bengali
Currency
BDT
Time zone
UTC+06:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 36 routes, grouped by purpose — 34 of 36 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.

Work

6 routes

Person working on a Bangladesh government development arrangement funded through a grant, loan, technical assistance or government-to-government agreement.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 5Report facts: 7
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Member of an international organisation or INGO involved in emergency humanitarian work in Bangladesh.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 7
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Foreign national employed by a national, international, government, semi-government, autonomous, private, industrial or commercial organisation, including qualifying project work.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 7Report facts: 6
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Foreign journalist, media professional or freelancer carrying out an approved reporting or production assignment in Bangladesh.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 10
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Individual appointed to work or deliver services for a Bangladesh-registered non-governmental organisation.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 8
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Technical specialist carrying out machinery or software supply, installation, maintenance, supervision, project inspection, research and development support or similar technical work.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 6Report facts: 7
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Investment

2 routes

Foreign investor making at least USD 5 million in a heavy industry or as a long-term investment in a Bangladesh industry or business.

Investment from USD 5,000,000
Eligibility: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: bangkok.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Foreign private investor in a joint venture or wholly foreign-owned enterprise in Bangladesh.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Process & costs: 5Report facts: 5
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 6 sources

Talent and merit

1 route

Professional sportsperson, coach, organiser, artist or performer engaged under contract for a sports or cultural activity in Bangladesh.

Eligibility: 4Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 4
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-08-03 · 4 sources

Study

2 routes

Foreign national carrying out approved research or training with a Bangladesh government-approved institution.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 7
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Foreign national admitted to study or undertake an internship at a government-approved institution in Bangladesh.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 5
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Family

11 routes

Foreign spouse or child of a Bangladesh national, or spouse or child of a foreign national of Bangladeshi origin, visiting for tourism or family reunion.

Official government source: washington.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26

Long-term residence

1 route

Culture, faith and volunteering

2 routes

Missionary, religious teacher or other religious worker invited to perform approved religious service in Bangladesh.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Individual travelling to Bangladesh to participate in Tabligh Jamaat or an Ijtema religious gathering.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Short stays and visits

4 routes

Business visitor attending meetings, analysing investment, negotiating with suppliers or carrying out another listed non-employment business purpose.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 9
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Foreigner visiting for tourism, friends or relatives, conferences, workshops, study tours, seminars or another listed temporary visitor purpose.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 8
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Holder of a passport and purpose listed in the current official guidance seeking discretionary admission at an international airport or land port.

Savings from USD 500
Process & costs: 1Report facts: 8
Official government source: losangeles.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26

Humanitarian protection

0 of 2 source-cited
2 routes

Person seeking international protection in Bangladesh outside the published Rohingya registration mechanism.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Source pending confirmation: help.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, including an unregistered person, seeking access to the current Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR registration process.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Source pending confirmation: help.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Ancestry and return

1 route

Foreign citizen of Bangladeshi origin, generally excluding citizens of SAARC countries under the published mission rules.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Report facts: 5
Official government source: bangkok.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Medical treatment

2 routes

Up to two attendants accompanying a patient who qualifies for a Bangladesh medical treatment visa.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Foreign patient travelling to Bangladesh for medical treatment.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Transit

2 routes

Crew member employed by an international airline, shipping line or other qualifying international transport operator.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 6
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 5 sources

Traveller transiting Bangladesh to a third country or joining or leaving a vessel as crew.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 6
Official government source: file.mofa.gov.bd · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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