Latest visa rule changes

Thailand replaced its 60-day visa exemption with 30-day and 15-day lists and cut visa on arrival to three countries. Bangladesh is on neither list, so Bangladeshis still need a visa.

Malaysia updated its eVISA terms: a single-entry eVISA is now valid for one journey within 6 months of issue, and applications should be made at least 14 days before travel.

Emirates began offering Bangladeshi travellers a 96-hour Dubai transit visa with qualifying Emirates Holidays packages.

The High Commission published a new category-wise document list for tourist, medical, business and employment visas.

All IVACs moved to automatically assigned time slots for every visa category.

India reopened tourist visa applications for Bangladeshis at five IVACs, after nearly two years of limited medical and emergency visas.

The UAE widened visa on arrival for holders of US, UK or EU visas to more nationalities. Bangladesh was not included.

Sri Lanka's free tourist ETA scheme took effect for 40 named nationalities plus reciprocal free entry for Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore. Bangladesh is not on the list, so Bangladeshi travellers continue to pay the standard SAARC ETA fee; fees paid before this date aren't refunded.

Saudi Arabia published the 1448 AH Umrah season: visas from 31 May 2026, last issuance 9 March 2027, last entry 23 March 2027 and last exit 7 April 2027.

Sweden's embassy in Dhaka stopped taking Poland's visa applications; the Netherlands now handles them.

The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational at all Schengen borders, recording visitors' fingerprints and photo on entry and exit.

The Embassy of Nepal, Dhaka's fee table for the pre-arrival eTA took effect: BDT 3,630 for 15 days multiple entry, BDT 6,050 for 30 days, BDT 15,125 for 90 days.

The High Commission in Dhaka confirmed eVISA processing takes 2–7 working days after payment and advised applying at least 30 days before travel.

The Singapore High Commission in Dhaka updated its visa page: processing now takes at least 5 working days, with a revised list of 21 authorised visa agents.

The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Dhaka named Mosaic Visa, Banani, as the sole authorised Turkey Visa Application Centre for Bangladesh, replacing the previous operator.

Singapore began issuing No-Boarding Directives: airlines can be told not to board travellers without a valid visa, SG Arrival Card or 6 months' passport validity.

The US Embassy in Dhaka began requiring a visa bond of up to US$15,000 from Bangladeshi nationals found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa. The consular officer sets the amount at the interview, and the visa is not issued until the bond has been paid.

Notice on Extension of Visa-Fee Reduction: the reduced visa fees above are extended through 31 December 2026.

CVC Dhaka widened the fingerprint exemption to cover all short-term (≤180 day) visa applicants, of any number of entries, through 31 December 2026 — replacing the older rule that only covered single/double-entry applicants.

The Umrah visa entry window was cut from 3 months to 30 days after issue; the permitted stay after arrival didn't change.

Bangladesh's embassy in Abu Dhabi denied social media claims of a UAE visa ban on Bangladeshis from January 2026.

Belgian visa applications from Bangladesh moved from Dhaka to New Delhi.

The embassy stopped accepting e-statements: bank statements and solvency letters must be originals signed by bank officials.

ImmD revised the ordinary visa/entry permit fee for its direct application channel from HKD 230 to HKD 330.

New visa fees in taka: tourist visa BDT 4,500 (was about BDT 4,000), METV BDT 22,500, transit BDT 3,600. Eastern Bank added as a second payment bank.

IVAC's processing fee became BDT 1,500, all-inclusive.

Immigration at KLIA refused entry to 198 foreigners in one operation, 123 of them Bangladeshi, over insufficient funds, missing hotel bookings or an unclear purpose of travel.

The UAE ambassador in Dhaka said the embassy was issuing 30 to 50 visit visas a day to Bangladeshis, after issuance slowed sharply in 2024.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) became mandatory for every foreign arrival, including children.

Entry to the Maldives stopped being granted on Israeli passports. This doesn't affect Bangladeshi passport holders.

ImmD moved several schemes (employment, mainland talents, investment, training, working holiday, dependant residence) to mandatory e-submission; the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh no longer forwards those application types. Doesn't affect the ordinary visit visa.

Thai e-Visa launched for applicants in Bangladesh; the visa centres stopped taking paper applications.

The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh stopped taking visa applications directly and moved the process to VFS Global's Japan Visa Application Centre in Gulshan-2, Dhaka.

Immigration New Zealand's International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) increased from NZD 35 to NZD 100 per eligible person, alongside a general rise in visa charges.

The Schengen visa fee rose to EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to under 12.

The Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVC) in Dhaka began accepting ordinary-passport visa applications; the Embassy stopped accepting them directly.