Chittagong Entry Requirements

Chittagong, the second-largest city of Bangladesh, greets international travelers at Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP) with warm, humid air that carries the faint scent of salt from the Bay of Bengal. Arriving passengers step off the plane onto an airbridge that vibrates slightly with distant jet engines, then follow yellow-lit corridors toward the immigration hall where ceiling fans hum above rows of maroon-colored booths. The process is straightforward but can feel labyrinthine for first-timers: present your passport, answer concise questions, have fingerprints scanned on a glass plate that feels cool against your fingertips, and watch the officer stamp your visa with a decisive thud. Before you travel, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months and check whether you need a visa or ETA; policies shift without fanfare and the humid climate inside the terminal makes any delay feel twice as long. Baggage reclaim sits one level down. Conveyor belts screech while fluorescent lights glare off the polished floor, reflecting the tired faces of passengers who have just felt the jolt of wheels kissing Bangladeshi tarmac. Outside customs, the sliding doors open to reveal a wall of sound: taxi touts calling in rapid Bangla, the low rumble of diesel generators, and the occasional crackle of police walkie-talkies. A single ATM glows green on the left, dispensing crisp Bangladeshi taka that still smells faintly of ink. The smell of deep-fried samosas drifts in from a small café tucked behind the duty-free shop, reminding every newcomer that Chittagong is a port city where taste buds wake up long before jet lag fades.