Bangladesh
BGDBangladesh is a densely populated South Asian nation bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south. Dhaka is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities and a hub of the global garment industry, which underpins much of the economy. The country permits dual nationality through its NRB (Non-Resident Bangladeshi) scheme, enabling the large diaspora — concentrated in the UK, USA, and Gulf states — to retain ties and invest without forfeiting foreign citizenship.
The Bangladeshi passport offers limited visa-free access, making a second citizenship or residency abroad a priority for many nationals. Living costs are among the lowest in Asia, and Dhaka's tech sector is expanding, though infrastructure, air quality, and periodic political instability remain practical challenges for long-term residents.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Dhaka
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 172,954,319
- Cost-of-living
- 24 /100
Passport Rank
#100
Visa-Free
33
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Bangladesh passport has visa-free access to 33 destinations. See the full Bangladesh passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Bangladesh without a prior visa (161)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Bangladesh
Current IRCC processing times for Bangladesh nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 37 days |
| Super visa | 55 days |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | 10 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | 14 months |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Dhaka
- Currency
- Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)
- Languages
- Bengali
- Population
- 172,954,319
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical; mild winter from October to March; hot, humid summer from March to June; cool, rainy monsoon season from June to October
- English Proficiency Rank
- #99
- GDP per capita
- $2,597
- Life expectancy
- 74.93 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.22%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
24
Safety
44
Healthcare
37
Quality of Life
35
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | $350 | $190 | $110 | $45 | $12 |
| Chittagong | $220 | $120 | $95 | $38 | $10 |
| Sylhet | $160 | $90 | $85 | $32 | $8 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Dhaka
Rainfall range: 6–380 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist (T)
- Business (B)
- Work (E)
- Investor (PI)
- Student (S)
- Family/Marriage (F)
- Journalist (J)
- Authority
- Department of Immigration and Passports
- Official Portal
- www.dip.gov.bd
- Phone
- +880 2 9330031
- dip@dip.gov.bd
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- Yes (Bengali)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $30
- Processing
- ~18 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#88
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Rickshaw overcharging and meter refusal targeting foreigners in Dhaka
- ⚠Fake charity or orphanage donation solicitations near tourist sites
- ⚠CNG auto-rickshaw drivers taking circuitous routes and inflating fares
Examples of areas to avoid: Kamrangirchar (Dhaka) — densely overcrowded riverbank area with high petty crime, Karwanbazar (Dhaka) — chaotic wholesale market area prone to pickpocketing, Old Town port area of Chittagong after dark
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Bangladesh, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Bangladesh Bar Council
BBCStatutory body for enrolment and regulation of advocates in Bangladesh. Immigration status is administered by the Department of Immigration & Passports and Bangladesh missions; there is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Bangladesh, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Short-term / business
Business Visa
Short-term / businessBangladesh route for businesspeople visiting for trade, commerce and investment-related business activity.
Tourist Visa
Short-term / businessBangladesh visitor route for tourism, casual visits, seminars, study tours and similar short non-work purposes.
Visa on Arrival
Short-term / businessBangladesh on-arrival route for eligible government, tourism, business, investment, Bangladesh-origin and official travellers.
Work (sponsored)
Work permit/Employment Visa
Work (sponsored)Bangladesh work route for appointed experts, advisers, employees, contractors and qualifying NGO honorary workers.
Family
No Visa Required (NVR)
FamilyBangladesh NVR endorsement for qualifying Bangladesh-origin foreign nationals and certain spouses or children.
Study
Student Visa
StudyBangladesh study route for regular students, admission seekers and researchers at government-approved educational institutions.
Investor
Investor Visa
InvestorBangladesh route for investors in existing, new, under-construction or upcoming private-sector industrial or commercial entities.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified