ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, visa and onward/return ticket are required.  All travelers to Bangladesh, including American citizens, must have a valid visa in their valid passport prior to arrival.  A valid visa in an expired or cancelled U.S. passport is not acceptable.  If you are issued a NEW U.S. passport, you must have your Bangladeshi visa transferred to that passport.  Note that airport visas (landing permits) are no longer available upon arrival by air.  Some Americans seeking visas from the Bangladeshi Embassy in Washington, D.C. or from Bangladeshi Embassies or Consulates in other countries have reported that they are erroneously advised to enter Bangladesh on a landing permit.

Expired visas to Bangladesh may be extended at the Directorate of Immigration and Passport, located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka.  The phone number is (880-2) 913-1891 and 913-4011.

There are two exit requirements.

A) When traveling by air, there is a departure tax on all foreigners except children under the age of two.  This tax is included when air tickets are purchased.  Otherwise, it is collected at the airport at the time of departure.  The amount of the departure tax varies for travel to different countries (i.e., tax for the U.S. is the most expensive, which is USD $43).  There is no travel tax for transit passengers transiting Bangladesh without a visa and in country for 72 hours or less.  These requirements may be subject to change, and travelers are advised to check with the Embassy of Bangladesh before traveling.

B) Departing foreign nationals are also required to comply with the income tax ordinance of 1984 and submit an income tax clearance certificate/income tax exemption certificate to local airline offices upon departure from Bangladesh.  More information can be obtained from the Bangladesh Board of Revenue website.

For further information on entry requirements and possible exceptions to the exit requirements, please contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (3510 International Drive, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone 202-244-0183, fax 202-244-5366, website http://www.bangladoot.org), or the Bangladesh Consulates in New York (211 E. 43rd Street, Suite 502, New York, NY 10017, telephone 212-599-6767), or Los Angeles (10850 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1250, Los Angeles, CA 90024, telephone 310-441-9399).

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:: Medical facilities in Bangladesh do not approach U.S. standards, even in tourist areas.  There is no functioning emergency medical care system in Bangladesh.  Prescription medication may be untrustworthy or unavailable.  Medical evacuations to Bangkok or Singapore are often necessary for serious conditions.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: 
Americans living or traveling in Bangladesh are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Bangladesh.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located approximately four miles south of Zia International Airport, and five miles north of downtown in the Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka, telephone (880-2) 885-5500, fax number (880-2) 882-3744.  The workweek is Sunday through Thursday.  The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services Sunday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  For emergency services and general information during business hours, please call (880-2) 882-3805.  For emergency services after hours, please call (880-2) 885-5500 and ask for the duty officer.  The Embassy's Internet home page is http://dhaka.usembassy.gov/.