Exercise increased caution in Bangladesh due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.

Country Summary: In Bangladesh the crime rate impacting foreigners is generally low. However, travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.

Terrorism events can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.

Because of security concerns U.S. government employees in Bangladesh are subject to movement and travel restrictions. The U.S. government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources.

Reconsider travel to southeast Bangladesh, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.

Travel is dangerous to the Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to occasional communal violence and other security risks. Prior approval from the Government of Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs Office of Public Safety is required if you plan to travel to these areas.  Please visit our website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bangladesh.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Bangladesh has a low level of COVID-19.  Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to Bangladesh:

• Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, and read the the U.S. Embassy’s web page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Get to a safe area and report any criminal incident to local authorities.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and so it is easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Country Security Report for Bangladesh.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Please review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.

 

Latest Travel Alert

Citizens should exercise caution in any decisions about international travel, taking account of their overall health, their vaccine status, and the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad. Anyone considering travelling abroad should be aware that restrictions are subject to change at short notice, and additional restrictions may be imposed by the country of your destination, including during your visit.

Travel to Bangladesh

Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result to travel to Bangladesh. Arrivals who are unable to provide proof of vaccination, or proof that their vaccination course was completed at least 14 days prior to arrival, are required to present evidence of a negative RT PCR based COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure for Bangladesh. 

All travellers regardless of vaccination status may be subject to health screening measures on arrival. Travellers are strongly encouraged to confirm the latest requirements with their airline and Bangladeshi authorities before departure.

The full COVID-19 regulations for international arrivals are available on the website of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. Please note that these regulations may change at short notice and official websites may not be up to date.

If you are currently in Bangladesh or if you intend to travel to Bangladesh, you should strictly abide by the Government of Bangladesh’s health guidelines for COVID-19, including any additional local restrictions. You must wear a facemask at all times when you are outside. You should also monitor local news to get the latest information on COVID-19 restrictions.

Visas
Irish passport holders require a visa to enter Bangladesh. The visa-on-arrival system has been generally suspended because of COVID-19. You are strongly encouraged to contact Bangladeshi authorities, such as the Embassy of Bangladesh to Ireland (based in London), for advice on visa requirements before you travel.

General Travel Advice

There are heightened security concerns about the potential threat to Western citizens in Bangladesh and Irish citizens should remain vigilant while travelling in the country. Due to the risk of terrorist attacks, Irish citizens are advised to exercise caution in public places, to avoid large gatherings or demonstrations, and venues frequented by expats/foreign tourists, and to keep informed of news reports or security developments.

We advise against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (this does not include Chittagong City). If you must visit the area, you should only stay in the main towns of Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban and only travel on the main roads. There’s a risk of being caught up in clashes between rival groups engaged in conflict there.

We suggest you learn as much as you can about Bangladesh before your trip from travel agents, tour operators and guide books. The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems when you’re in Bangladesh, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.