Day trip from Dhaka? / Visa at Zia Int'l Airport in Dhaka?

Hi there,

I'm visiting Bangladesh for the first time. Unfortunately, it'll be a short trip: arrive 24 December, leave 27 December. Two questions:

1. DAY TRIP FROM DHAKA: I'm planning to spend most of my time in Dhaka, but would like to take one day trip from Dhaka and get a taste of the countryside. Any suggestions? (Based purely on the Lonely Planet guide, I'm considering Sonargaon/Painam Nagar.)

2. VISA ON ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT: I know others have already asked, but I'd like to confirm that:

• it's possible for a citizen of the USA (arriving from Malaysia) to get a visa on arrival at Zia International Airport in Dhaka

• cost of visa (for US citizens)?

• I saw somewhere that you're supposed to bring a lot of cash with you (US$500?) to prove that you can pay for your stay - OR international credit cards. I have the credit cards and would prefer not to carry US$500 in cash. Anyone know if just credit cards, plus maybe US$150 or US$200 in cash, is enough to get the visa? Do they even check this stuff at the airport?

Thanks very much in advance!
Ryan

Hi Ryan, thanks for your interest to visit Bangladesh.

• Dhaka day trip : Yes, you can think for Sonargaon for a day trip. Or you can take Dhaka-Chadpur lanch (Boat) trip to enjoy riverine beauty.
• Visa : Definitely it will be a hasle for you to take BD visa at airport. Better take prior visa from KL. The visa fee for US citizen is USD100
• I never heared such thing. So, dont worry about cash/credit card.

I think this VOA is a big question mark in TT bangladesh. But i want to share my experience, three of my friends have arrived in the past month on separate occasion and had NO trouble getting VOA at the airport. All they had to do was present 50 US dollars in cash for the fee. One of them was a US citizen and the rest Australian.

I have also met numerous business associates of mine who are arriving on VOA and not asking me to write them a official invite. mainly EU and US citizens.

But do take into account, arriving on VOA u cannot change ur status or extend ur visa.

Mahmud and Nadith,

Thank you both for your quick responses. Very much appreciated.

Mahmud, the tips on day trips sound good - maybe I'll try the river trip.

Nadith, glad to hear your friends (including one from the US) have been able to get VOA without any problem. That's reassuring, since the BD High Com here in Malaysia (where I am at the moment) said there's absolutely no way for them to issue me a tourist visa for Bangladesh if I don't have a work permit here in Malaysia (I'm on a tourist visa in Malaysia). They said my only option was to get the BD visa through the BD Embassy in the United States! And since I'm leaving tomorrow, that's not an option. So it's VOA or nothing...

Ryan

did u make it?

Yes, made it without any problem - thanks for asking. I'm in Dhaka now.

So yes, for everyone's information: I flew into Zia International Airport in Dhaka without a visa and was able to get one on the spot upon arrival for US$50. Didn't need anything besides my passport. The visa guy was very friendly. Didn't ask to see credit cards, cash, hotel confirmation, anything. He did ask where I was planning to stay, but I think he only asked because he wanted to make sure I'd be staying in a safe hotel. The whole procedure took about three minutes. (I have a US passport.)

Of course I can't guarantee that the BD government will continue to have this policy in the future. But for me today, it was a breeze.

Thanks for checking back in to let us know. Good info, and helpful to me personally. Hope you had a good Christmas!

Dear all,
I have an urgent meeting in Dhaka, and get to fly tomorrow.
Im wondering, can Malaysian passport holder can obtain visa on arrival at Zia international Airport?
I really hope that anybody can help me with this as soon as possible.
Thanks

Why not post this question as a new thread ? More people will see and maybe reply !

LR

Recently some informed that they got visa at airport without any problem. So, best of luck. (Inform immigration officers that u did not have enough time to take prior visa. I think they will understand.)

Wishing your safe arrival in Dhaka.

Mahmud

i know this is too late for you, but it may be helpful for others.

I am a US citizen. I flew from Bangkok to Dhaka earlier this month on Thai Airways. Thai did not ask me if I had a Banglsdesh visa.

On arrival at Zia airport, the far left hand line had a sign that said "visa on arrival" and/or "landing permit." I went to that line. The immigration officer told me I had to pay $50 for a landing permit. He directed me to a bank located behind him in the arrivals area. I had to go to the bank, pay $50, get a receipt, and come back to thr front of the line.

I did that. The officer then took my passport, spent a long time copying info, and stamped me in with a 15 day landing permit.

I walked outside, agreed with the most reputable looking taxi tout on 500 taka to go into town (Gulshan) in a crappy taxi, and made it there without incident.

Thanks for that, Matt. Sounds like your experience was identical to mine. I flew Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur, where likewise, no one asked to see my Bangladesh visa or even asked if I had one.

great. i paid 150 usd at the embassy in jakarta and got served by the most miserable speciman possible