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Updated to reflect Level 4: Do Not Travel and the Department’s ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members.
Do not travel to Bangladesh due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism.
Country Summary: On August 5, 2024, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members. Travelers should not travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka. Violent clashes have occurred in the city of Dhaka, its neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh, and the Bangladeshi Army is deployed nationwide. Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport temporarily paused operations on August 5. Travelers should check with their airlines to confirm status for future flights.
Travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.
Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.
Because of security concerns U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions. The U.S. government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bangladesh.
If you decide to travel to Bangladesh:
Chittagong Hill Tracts Region
The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) experience occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks. Kidnappings have occurred in the region, including those motivated by domestic or familial disputes, and those targeting members of religious minorities. Separatist organizations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, and there have been recent instances of IED explosions and active shooting. Prior approval from the Government of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs Office of Public Safety is required if you plan to travel to these areas.
Please visit our website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Six months beyond planned stay.
Two.
Yes. Visa on arrival is available for some travelers. Check the Bangladeshi Embassy website for the latest information.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations required; Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies vaccinations recommended. There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Bangladesh; however, proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required if you are traveling from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever and are older than one year of age.
You must declare 5,000 U.S. dollars and above.
You cannot depart with more USD than you declared upon entry. You cannot take more than 5,000 Bangladeshi taka (appx. $58.82 USD) out of Bangladesh without a declaration. More information is available here: Bangladesh Customs, National Board of Revenue (NBR)
Madani Avenue,
Baridhara, Dhaka, 1212
Bangladesh
Telephone: +(88) (2) 5566-2000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(88) (2) 5566-2000. When you hear the recorded message, press “0” to connect with the Embassy Duty Officer
Fax: +(88) (2) 5566-2907
Email: DhakaACS@state.gov
The Consular Section’s American Citizen Services unit operates Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only. Emergency appointments are available outside of business hours upon request.
Passports and Visas:
Exit Taxes:
U.S.-Bangladesh Dual Nationals:
Customs:
HIV/AIDS: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Bangladesh. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Bangladesh before traveling.
The U.S. government assesses that there remains a credible terrorist threat against foreigners in Bangladesh. U.S. citizens in Bangladesh should take precautions, remain vigilant, and be alert to local security developments.
There has been no significant terrorist attack in Bangladesh since March 2017, but the country remains a target of several foreign terrorist organizations. Since 2015, ISIS-affiliated terrorists have conducted over 30 attacks that targeted foreigners, religious minorities, and local police/security services. In March 2017, ISIS claimed responsibility for at least three bombings in multiple locations in Bangladesh, including two suicide attacks that targeted security forces near Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The third bombing transpired during a police raid against suspected terrorists, killing seven onlookers and injuring 40. In July 2016, ISIS attacked a Dhaka restaurant frequented by Westerners, killing 20 hostages, including a U.S. citizen. If you observe high-profile police activity, depart the area immediately.
Al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) retains a presence in Bangladesh; the group last carried out attacks in 2015 and 2016 that killed several secular bloggers, publishers, and human rights activists; a U.S. citizen was among the victims.
The following groups, including several on the U.S. government’s list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, are active in Bangladesh:
U.S. government personnel in Bangladesh live, work, and travel under strict security guidelines and are prohibited from:
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are particularly severe.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.
Drones: All forms of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), colloquially known as “drones,” are highly regulated and restricted in Bangladesh and are subject to import and flight restrictions. Failure to obtain import and/or flight permission can result in detention and/or arrest, as well as confiscation of the RPAS. Visit the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh website for the latest RPAS regulations.
Forced Marriage: A marriage must be entered into with the full and free consent of both individuals. We can provide help and advice if you are being forced into a marriage against your will. Please refer to our information on forced marriage. All travelers to Bangladesh, including Bangladeshi citizens, should maintain possession of their passports and return plane tickets to ensure independence to travel.
Registration for Renters: The Bangladesh Government requests biodata and other personal information from all residents. This registration is mandatory for renters but is voluntary for homeowners and foreigners. Dual nationals, former Bangladesh nationals, and “No Visa Required” seal holders are considered Bangladeshi for registration purposes.
Property Disputes:
Natural Disasters:
Bangladesh is in a zone 2B earthquake fault region, with a moderate probability of damaging ground motion. The overwhelming majority of structures in Bangladesh would not withstand a moderate earthquake. Although earthquakes are more likely to occur in the north of the country, destruction from an earthquake is expected to be most acute in urban areas. Post-earthquake disaster relief capabilities are extremely limited.
You should make contingency plans for travel in Bangladesh. Leave emergency contact information with family members outside of Bangladesh and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and at Ready.gov. For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit:
Fire Safety: Fires in residential and commercial buildings are not uncommon in Bangladesh, and first responders' capacity to control flames is limited. Many multi-story residential buildings and shopping malls lack proper fire extinguishers, emergency exits, among other fire safety features. Stay aware of your surroundings and emergency exits.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:
LGBTQI+ Rights: Consensual same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Bangladesh and penalties include up to life imprisonment. See our LGBTQI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details. In 2016, AQIS specifically targeted and killed two prominent members of the Bangladesh LGBTQI+ community in their apartment because of their human rights activism and sexual orientation.
Persons with Mobility Issues: Public transportation, sidewalks, many buildings, and most public areas are not wheelchair accessible.
For emergency services in Bangladesh, dial 999.
Ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
COVID-19 Testing: PCR and/or antigen tests are available for U.S. citizens in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh has provided a list of recommended COVID-19 testing facilities for international passengers here. Those wishing to get tested will have to pay for their own COVID-19 test. Results are often delivered via text message and are, in most cases, linked to a QR code.
COVID-19 Vaccines: The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Bangladesh. The Government of Bangladesh started its national COVID-19 vaccination program in January 2021. The program includes AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen (Johnson and Johnson), Sinopharm, and Sinovak vaccines. The Government of Bangladesh is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to those who do not have a Bangladesh national ID (NID) or a locally registered birth certificate, including all foreign nationals. Individuals who have yet to receive a vaccine are encouraged to call the Bangladesh Health hotline at 16263 to identify the nearest vaccine center. Please carry a passport or another form of government-issued identification and be ready to provide a Bangladeshi mobile phone number.
Those who do not have an NID or locally registered birth certificate may not register for a vaccine via the surokkha.gov.bd vaccine portal, and as a result, would be unable to receive a Bangladeshi vaccine certificate with a QR code. Anyone vaccinated at a vaccine center, however, will receive a handwritten vaccine card to carry as proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Those interested in obtaining a booster dose may follow the procedure described above and should be ready to present proof of previous vaccination against COVID-19. Individuals become eligible for a booster dose four months after their last dose is administered. This information is also available at the Directorate General for Health Services website.
If any U.S. citizen wishes to register through the Surokkha website to get the QR coded vaccine certificate, they should follow the instructions below and provide the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka with all the required information so that we can forward it to the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of vaccination against COVID-19.
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.
Medical Insurance: Make sure health insurance plans provide coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas insurance coverage.
We strongly advise supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Medical Care: Though quality of care is below U.S. standards, most common illnesses can be treated locally. U.S. citizens often travel outside Bangladesh for routine surgical procedures and complicated medical treatment.
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prevention is key:
Air quality in Dhaka is consistently poor and especially hazardous from November to March. We recommend avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure during these months. N95 filtration masks/respirators that are NIOSH certified are helpful, but you need to have a good fit and seal when using them. Current Dhaka air quality can be found here.
Further health information:
Road Conditions and Safety:
Road accidents, including fatal head-on collisions, are common in Bangladesh. When traveling by road:
If a serious accident occurs, or if a driver hits a pedestrian or livestock, crowds quickly gather, and the behavior of the crowd is often unpredictable. The vehicle and its occupants may be at risk of being attacked in such circumstances depending on who the crowd believes is at fault and what damage has occurred. Such attacks may pose significant risk of injury or death to the vehicle’s occupants or of damage to the vehicle. It is unsafe to remain at the scene of an accident of this nature. Seek shelter at the nearest police station.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. We also suggest that you visit Bangladesh’s National Tourism Organization website.
Public Transportation:
Aviation Safety Oversight:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) current determination is that the Government of Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority does not provide safety oversight of its air carrier operators in accordance with the minimum safety oversight standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Maritime Travel: The U.S. Coast Guard has concerns about the security practices in the ports of Bangladesh. Until those concerns can be addressed, the Coast Guard advises that Mariners and passengers on commercial vessels traveling through the ports of Bangladesh should exercise increased caution.
Mariners planning travel to Bangladesh should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts within the MARAD website. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website. Select “broadcast warnings” from within the NGA site.
Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Bangladesh. For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA) report.
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.
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