Obtaining a Bangladeshi visa in Kolkata

Just thought I'd share my (American) experience getting a Bangladeshi visa at the consulate in Kolkata this week.

The consulate is located on AJC Bose Road, south of the Sudder St/Park Street area. It's a 20 minute walk east from the Rabindra Sadan metro station. You can also take a taxi there, but in my experience most taxi drivers don't know it. Saying "Bangladesh consulate, near Park Circus and Beck Bagan" got me into the area though.

I arrived early for the 9:15am visa drop off time. There are 3-4 windows in an alcove on the main (AJC Bose Rd.) side of the consulate that open earlier than 9:15. These windows are for Indians and there will be a huge line. Window #1 is for foreigners and it is around the corner on the side. No line there.

The application form I printed from the consulate website (http://www.bdhckolkata.org/) is for Indians and I had to fill out a new one for foreigners. You need 3 passport photos and separate photocopies of the Indian visa page and ID page of your passport. The window staff spoke perfect English and were helpful.

After submitting the paperwork, I received a receipt that called for an interview at 11:30am. Around 11:40 I entered the consulate grounds through a garage gate further to the left, if you're looking at Window #1.

I met with First Secretary Md. Shamsul Amin on the 2nd floor of the consulate. He was a nice guy. The interview basically consisted of me and another American waiting handing over 6550 INR cash. The two other foreigners submitting their visas that day were Japanese and paid nothing.

Passport pickup was the next evening at 5:30pm, although Mr. Amin wrote "17:00" on my receipt. I got my passport back along with a receipt for my visa payment from Window #1.

Interesting info: the other American who submitted her visa application was able to receive her passport that evening by making a 2000 INR payment to a tout on the sidewalk outside the embassy. I was skeptical, but I didn't see her at the pickup time the next day, so I assume her strategy worked! I elected not to pay as I can find better uses for 2000 INR.

I'm flying off to Dhaka tonight on Air India Express! Only 4500 INR return purchased 1 day in advance at the Air India office in BBD Bagh, which I thought was a decent deal. I'm very excited for a night at the Westin Dhaka, a Sundarban tour over the weekend, a Rocket Steamer journey back north, and an overnight trip to Srimongol before returning to Kolkata.

Useful update for fellow travelers.
Thanks.

Thanks a lot for the updated information abot BD visa in Kolkata. It will help the travelers.

Wishing you a nice journey. Keep us posted about your experience there.

Thank you for sharing such valuable and updated information!

The reason you had to pay charges for your visa depends on the reciprocal arrangement between the two countries. Maybe, Japan and Bangladesh have an agreement to waive such charges?

Hope you enjoyed your experiences in Bangladesh! How was the Westin by the way? Apparently, they have the most expensive rooms in the country?!

Thanks for the update. I am in Kolkata now and was waiting for the consulate to open. (They were closed on Friday, closed today and tomorrow, and it looks like they will be closed on Monday too).

Was.

I can not justify several days of waiting and a ridiculous visa fee for less than two weeks that I can carve out of what remains of my trip.

BTW, has anyone gotten into any trouble for "overstaying" the 180 day maximum stay on tourist visas? I have a one year visa but, by not going to Bangladesh, I will be one or two days over when I fly out.

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The consulate was open today but nothing good came of it. The price for Americans is still $131 and the staff steadfastly refused to consider even the idea of alternatives. I told him that I, in fact, did have a choice. I would not be visiting his country. I meant it and left.

A little ways down the road is the Foreigner Registration Office. There, I found that I could pay $20 for a short extension for my 181 day problem. I wonder if anyone would actually notice? My arrival date was October 23. My fly out date is April 21. What do you think are the odds that the immigration staff will notice that this is 181 days and not 178?

Curiously, I met another traveler today with a ten year visa. His visa states that he must be out of India at least 60 days between visits. My lists no such restriction.

Edited by: subhacker