Sundarban Tigers, World's Longest Beach & River Delta
No. Indian passport holders are explicitly excluded from the Bangladesh Visa on Arrival programme and must obtain a visa in advance from a Bangladeshi High Commission or consulate before travelling. This is the primary nationality exception to the VOA scheme.
A standard tourist visa or VOA grants a maximum stay of 30 days. Extensions may be applied for at the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka, though extensions are not guaranteed. For longer stays, a business visa or employment visa is more appropriate.
Bangladesh does not currently offer a dedicated retirement or digital nomad visa. Long-term stays are typically structured through employment visas, investor visas (for those investing in Bangladesh businesses), or repeated visa renewals. Consult the Bangladesh High Commission in your country for the most current options.
All foreign nationals employed in Bangladesh (outside Export Processing Zones) must hold a work permit issued by BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority). The permit is employer-specific — changing employers requires a new permit. The sponsoring company must demonstrate that the role requires foreign expertise and cannot be filled locally.
Dhaka has a growing selection of international schools. American International School Dhaka (AISD) follows a US curriculum. Dhaka English Medium School (DEMS), SFX Greenherald, and The Aga Khan School offer British or IB curricula. These are concentrated in the Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara diplomatic zones where most expat families live.
Yes — local government and private schools are extremely affordable and are conducted entirely in Bengali. For expat children, integration can be challenging without Bengali language skills. Many expat families use international schools for continuity and then enrol children in Bengali language classes separately.
BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) is the country's premier technical institution, producing highly respected engineers in civil, electrical, and computer science disciplines. The University of Dhaka, founded in 1921, is the oldest university in Bangladesh and known for social sciences, humanities, and science faculties. Both are tuition-subsidised public institutions.
Several private universities in Dhaka offer English-medium undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. BRAC University, North South University, and East West University are among the most established. These attract both domestic and international students and have growing international partnerships.
The majority of expats in Dhaka live in the Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and DOHS (Defence Officers' Housing Society) neighbourhoods in the north of the city. These areas house embassies, international organisations, and upscale restaurants and supermarkets. Security is generally higher, traffic marginally more manageable, and facilities oriented toward foreign residents.
Yes — furnished apartments are the norm in Gulshan and Banani for the expat market. Rent includes furniture, air conditioning, and often a generator for power outages. Landlords typically expect 2–3 months' advance rent as a deposit. Leases are usually 1-year agreements with annual renewal.
Power cuts (locally called "load shedding") remain a feature of daily life in Bangladesh, particularly outside the premium zones. Most expat apartment buildings have backup generators or IPS (Instant Power Supply) systems. Confirm backup power provision before signing any lease, especially if you work from home or have medical equipment requirements.
Yes — Chittagong (officially Chattogram) is Bangladesh's main port city and commercial hub. It is significantly less congested than Dhaka, offers lower housing costs, and has a growing expatriate community in the garment, shipping, and port industries. Proximity to Cox's Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts makes it a popular base for those who value outdoor access.
Easier than most places — Bangladeshis are warm and curious about foreigners. Best entry: tea-stall adda (chai conversations), mosque or club networks, your office colleagues (lunch invites are common), expat-meetup groups in Gulshan/Banani, and language exchange via universities. Accept the first dinner invitation — refusing signals coldness.
Yes — consistently ranked among the world's worst. A 7 km commute can take 90 minutes. Use the new Metro Rail (MRT-6) wherever possible. Schedule meetings with 1-hour buffers. CNG auto-rickshaws and Pathao bikes weave through traffic faster than cars; for cross-city trips, ride-hailing bikes are often quickest.
Technically Bangladesh is dry for Muslims, but foreigners can buy at licensed warehouse stores (e.g., the Dhaka Club, Gulshan Society Club, designated hotel bars) with passport + alcohol permit. Holey Artisan and a few hotel restaurants serve. Public drinking is illegal; never drink in front of locals or during Ramadan.
Generally very safe in terms of violent crime — petty theft and pickpocketing are the main risks. Diplomatic zones (Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani) are secure and well-policed. Avoid political rallies (hartal days) and the Chittagong Hill Tracts without permits. Climate risks (cyclones April–November, monsoon flooding) matter more than crime.