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Chittagong Entry Requirements

Chittagong Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-09-26
Before you travel: official formalities

  • Bangladesh visa on arrival (online advance application available)

    Who
    Nationals eligible for visa on arrival
    When
    Issued at the port of entry. An online advance application is available
    Cost
    USD 50 visa fee, cash only, excluding processing fees

    Valid for a stay of up to 30 days for tourism, business or investment. The fee is paid in cash at the Sonali Bank counter.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Getting into Chittagong, Bangladesh's large port city on the southeastern coast, is straightforward for most travelers. Plan ahead. The main gateway is Shah Amanat International Airport, which handles domestic flights from Dhaka and limited international connections. Many visitors fly into Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport first, then connect onward. Know the entry rules for both. Bangladesh offers visa on arrival for eligible nationals. An online advance application system exists for those who prefer paperwork sorted before departure. Headed to Srimangal's tea gardens, Cox's Bazar beaches, or staying in Chittagong for business? Entry requirements stay identical across all Bangladeshi ports. Rules shift. Check the official government immigration website shortly before travel. This matters. Allow extra time during Eid holidays. Chittagong's airport is smaller and less congested than Dhaka's. Arrival runs smoother here. Staffing varies. Queues build. Keep documents organized and accessible. It speeds things up.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Bangladesh's visa policy shifts by nationality. Who qualifies for visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or full consular visa depends on bilateral agreements that change over time. Verify your own eligibility through the official Bangladesh immigration website or your nearest Bangladeshi embassy. Do not rely on one source. What follows covers general categories and the visa on arrival system, the most common route for short-term visitors to Chittagong.

Visa-Free Entry
Varies by nationality and agreement. Check the official immigration website for your specific entitlement

Certain nationalities enter Bangladesh without advance visas. Eligibility and permitted length of stay depend on your passport and current bilateral agreements in place.

Even visa-free travelers need passports valid at least six months beyond entry date. Officials may request proof of onward travel. The official Bangladesh immigration website lists eligible nationalities.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Up to 30 days for tourism, business, or investment purposes

Bangladesh runs an online advance application system for visa on arrival. Eligible travelers submit applications electronically before departure. This speeds up processing at entry. The system runs through the Special Branch visa on arrival portal.

How to Apply: Submit applications online through the official Special Branch visa on arrival portal before travel. Processing times vary. Apply early. Approval online does not eliminate airport formalities. It streamlines them. Carry your confirmation.
Cost: USD 50 visa fee, payable in cash only at the Sonali Bank counter at the port of entry, excluding any additional processing fees

The online advance application pre-approves visa on arrival. It is not a standalone electronic visa. You still present documents and pay in person at the airport. Bring exact US dollars. Change at the bank counter is unpredictable.

Visa Required
Varies depending on the visa type granted. Typically 30 to 90 days for tourist visas, though this depends on the issuing mission

Travelers ineligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival must apply through a Bangladeshi embassy or consulate before departure. This is standard for many nationalities.

How to Apply: Apply at your nearest Bangladeshi embassy or consulate. Requirements usually include a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, and sometimes financial evidence. Processing times vary by location and season. Apply weeks ahead.

Some nationalities need a reference or invitation letter. Business visas carry extra requirements. Check with your specific embassy. Rules differ between missions.

Arrival Process

Arriving at Shah Amanat International Airport is manageable. Know what to expect. The airport is compact compared to regional hubs. Distances between stages are short. Processing still takes time. Staffing and flight schedules affect this. Arriving via Dhaka and connecting domestically? You clear immigration and customs in Dhaka, not Chittagong.

1
Disembarkation and Initial Queue
Follow signs toward immigration after leaving the aircraft. At Shah Amanat International Airport, the walk is brief. Signage appears in Bengali and English. Separate queues usually exist for Bangladeshi nationals and foreign passport holders. During quiet periods, these may merge.
2
Visa on Arrival Processing
Obtaining visa on arrival? Go to the dedicated counter first. Then join the main immigration queue. Present your passport, completed materials, and supporting documents. Used the online advance application through the Special Branch portal? Have your confirmation ready. The USD 50 visa fee is paid in cash at the Sonali Bank counter in arrivals. This fee excludes additional processing charges. Keep your receipt.
3
Immigration Inspection
Present your passport with visa (or visa on arrival documentation) to the immigration officer. They will verify your identity. Check your visa validity. They may ask about your visit purpose and duration. A brief interview is normal. The officer stamps your passport with an entry endorsement showing permitted stay. Hold a valid embassy visa? This step moves faster.
4
Baggage Claim
Collect checked luggage from the carousel. Chittagong's airport runs one or two active carousels for international arrivals. Trolleys are available. Their condition varies. Luggage missing? Find the airline's baggage service desk in arrivals before exiting the secured area.
5
Customs Inspection
Pass through customs. Choose green channel for nothing to declare. Choose red for goods above duty-free limits or items requiring declaration. Officers conduct spot checks regardless. Know what you carry. Understand allowances. This helps.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid Passport
Passport must be valid six months beyond entry into Bangladesh. You need two blank pages for stamps. This is near-universal. Check with your airline and Bangladeshi immigration website for your nationality specifics.
Visa or Visa on Arrival Documentation
You need advance visa from a Bangladeshi embassy, or visa on arrival documentation including online advance application confirmation. Visa on arrival requires USD 50 cash at the Sonali Bank counter.
Return or Onward Ticket
Chittagong immigration may ask for departure evidence. Have accessible a confirmed return flight, onward ticket, or itinerary showing exit within permitted stay. This is advisable.
Proof of Accommodation
Carry hotel booking confirmation or host invitation letter. Not always requested. Having it ready prevents delays if asked.
Proof of Sufficient Funds
Bring evidence you can support yourself. Recent bank statements, credit cards, or cash work. Not always requested. Worth having available.
Passport-Sized Photographs
Pack extra passport-sized photos. Visa on arrival may require them. Useful for registration if your stay extends.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
Required if arriving from or transiting through yellow fever risk countries. Without this certificate, entry may be refused or quarantine applied. Check if your itinerary triggers this.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Arrive with documents organized in a folder. Access them without digging through carry-on. Keep passport, visa documents, accommodation confirmation, and onward ticket ready as a set. Each checkpoint moves faster. Officers notice.
Using visa on arrival? Carry USD 50 in clean, undamaged US dollar bills. Torn or worn notes face refusal at Sonali Bank. Exact amount avoids waiting for change.
Shah Amanat International Airport has limited arrivals facilities versus larger regional airports. Currency exchange and ATMs exist. They can be out of service. Arrive with some local currency or widely accepted US dollars for immediate expenses. Sensible precaution.
Traveling to Chittagong Hill Tracts? Foreign nationals need separate travel permits. Not handled at airport. Arrange through appropriate authorities, usually in Chittagong city or Dhaka. Factor this into pre-arrival planning.
Peak periods around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha mean longer immigration processing and heavier onward transport demand. Arriving during these times? Patience helps. Flexibility serves you well.

Customs & Duty-Free

Bangladesh customs rules apply uniformly at all entry points, including Chittagong. Rules follow international norms plus specific local and religious restrictions. Bangladesh is officially Muslim-majority. This influences allowances, alcohol. Enforcement varies. Know the rules. Do not assume leniency.

Alcohol
Non-Muslim foreign nationals may bring limited alcohol for personal use. Generally up to two bottles of spirits or wine.
This allowance applies only to non-Muslim foreign passport holders. Muslim travelers and Bangladeshi nationals cannot import alcohol. Alcohol is scarce in Chittagong outside few licensed spots. What you bring may be your only access.
Tobacco
Typically up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or comparable loose tobacco quantity for personal use.
These limits are approximate and adjustable. Exceeding them risks confiscation or duty charges. Tobacco is widely available and inexpensive in Chittagong. Most travelers need not bring large quantities.
Currency
Foreign currency enters Bangladesh without formal upper limit. Amounts exceeding USD 5,000 or equivalent require declaration on arrival.
Bangladeshi taka cannot be imported or exported in large amounts. Retain your currency declaration form for significant foreign currency amounts. You may need it when exchanging or departing. Undeclared large sums risk confiscation.
Gifts and Personal Goods
Personal effects and gifts for personal use generally clear duty-free in reasonable quantities. High-value electronics or bulk purchases of single items may draw customs attention.
Goods appearing intended for commercial resale face duty charges. Retain receipts for cameras, laptops, and jewelry. Documentation prevents departure hassles.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances trigger severe penalties in Bangladesh. Lengthy imprisonment applies.
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without prior government authorization
  • Pornographic material in any format violates Bangladeshi law absolutely.
  • Counterfeit currency or goods bearing fraudulent trademarks
  • Items deemed offensive to religious sentiment, which is broadly interpreted

Restricted Items

  • Large quantities of prescription medications need valid prescriptions. Carry a doctor's letter explaining medical necessity. Unfamiliar drugs may prompt customs questions.
  • Satellite phones and specific communications equipment need advance clearance from the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.
  • Gold and precious metals beyond personal jewelry face strict import controls. Duty likely applies.
  • Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles require prior Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh approval. Undeclared arrivals risk confiscation.

Health Requirements

Bangladesh imposes few mandatory health requirements for Chittagong arrivals. Specific situations demand documentation. Several vaccinations come strongly recommended given regional disease patterns.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificates are mandatory for travelers from or transiting through risk countries. Enforcement is strict. Missing certificates mean denied entry or port quarantine.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A vaccination is advisable. The virus circulates in Bangladesh's food and water supply, Chittagong included.
  • Hepatitis B matters for longer stays. Medical procedures raise risk further.
  • Typhoid vaccination is recommended. The disease spreads through contaminated food and water here.
  • Tetanus and diphtheria boosters if not current
  • Japanese encephalitis vaccination helps for rural Chittagong visits. Extended monsoon season stays increase exposure risk.
  • Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is practical. Stray dogs populate Chittagong heavily. Post-exposure treatment outside Dhaka is scarce.
  • Cholera vaccination suits some itineraries. Consider your risk tolerance. Routine recommendation? No.

Health Insurance

Bangladesh lacks mandatory health insurance rules. Complete coverage with medical evacuation remains strongly advisable. Chittagong medical facilities have improved. They still lag international standards. Serious conditions may need evacuation to Dhaka or overseas. Verify Bangladesh coverage specifically. Include emergency repatriation.

Current Health Requirements: Yellow fever certificates represent the main health document for entry, applicable only after travel through risk countries. Bangladesh's health requirements shift with disease outbreaks. Check the Directorate General of Health Services website. Consult your own country's travel health advisory before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy or Consulate
Your country's diplomatic mission in Bangladesh, typically Dhaka-based, handles consular assistance. Lost passports, legal trouble, or emergencies abroad fall under their remit.
Find your embassy or consulate via your government's foreign affairs website before Chittagong travel. Some nations maintain honorary consuls locally. Routine matters move faster there.
Immigration Authority
The Department of Immigration and Passports, Bangladesh manages all visa and immigration issues. The Special Branch runs the visa on arrival program.
Need visa extensions or status changes? The Chittagong regional passport office or Dhaka main office can help. Begin well before expiry.
Emergency Services
Bangladesh runs an unified national emergency hotline covering police, fire, and ambulance services.
Chittagong response times depend on location and hour. For serious medical emergencies, head straight to hospital. Ambulance waits can stretch. Save a reputable hospital address on your phone.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children require individual passports for Bangladesh entry. Single-parent travel benefits from a notarized consent letter from the absent parent. Formal requirement? Not always. Immigration officers may question adult-minor relationships, with differing surnames. Keep birth certificates or guardianship papers handy. These steps address global child trafficking concerns that border authorities now prioritize.

Traveling with Pets

Importing pets into Bangladesh demands advance preparation. You will generally need a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in your country of origin within a recent timeframe before departure, proof of current rabies vaccination, and an import permit from Bangladesh's Department of Livestock Services. Chittagong's airport has limited animal handling facilities compared to Dhaka. Confirm your port of entry can process pet arrivals first. Quarantine requirements may apply depending on the animal's country of origin. Contact the nearest Bangladeshi embassy and the Department of Livestock Services well in advance. Processing these permits takes time.

Extended Stays

Staying in Bangladesh beyond your visa duration requires an extension through the Department of Immigration and Passports. Extensions are not guaranteed. Apply before your current visa expires, not after. Overstaying can result in fines, detention, or future travel difficulties. For work, study, or long-term residence, specific visa categories exist. These must typically be arranged through a Bangladeshi embassy before arrival. Do not expect to convert a tourist visa in-country.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Travel Permit

Foreign nationals visiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts need a special travel permit. This includes Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari. The permit is not issued at the airport. Obtain it from the relevant district commissioner's office or through a registered tour operator in Chittagong. The requirement stems from the region's sensitive political history and ongoing security considerations. Processing times vary. Permits are sometimes restricted on short notice depending on the security situation. Plan this well ahead of your intended travel dates.

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