The Bangladesh Traveller

Bangladesh: Vexing Visa Issues

Posted on 30. Dec, 2007 by bmeggitt in Visas
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Are you plotting to inflict grievous bodily damage to the visa officer at the Bangladesh’s immigration office due to intense visa frustration or simply ready to leave Bangladesh for good? If so, cancel that plane ticket and put away that cricket bat—we have some answers for you.

A few weeks ago I was close to tears and ready to consider bribing immigration for a visa, if they would only give me the opportunity to speak with an officer. Many phone calls later I found myself with a ticket to Thailand. Possessing a tan, a satisfied stomach and a one-year multi-entrance visa, I returned to Bangladesh, smiling. This is what I learned:

There appears no logic to the initial length of allocated visas to Bangladesh or whether you have to leave the country every few months to re-validate your existing visa. Perhaps the answer is hidden under shrouds of paper work, but it appears more related to the mood of the visa officer, than any strict ruling. Word has it however, that obtaining visas from America is a little easier than from other countries. In Australia, you are unlikely to get more than a six-month visa, unless you are associated with an Australian government Aid program.

Generally to obtain a N visa (NGO) or E visa (consultancy) you need a letter from your supporting organization that outlines who you are, what your contribution will be, how long you are intending to stay and your passport number. Rumour has it that N visas can only be obtained from your home country and I have known people to be rejected on this basis.

Your best option for a stress free visa experience in Bangladesh is to get the best possible visa you can when you initially apply. You may find that a visit to the consulate with your passport gives you more negotiating power. Don’t think you’ll deal with it in Bangladesh, the process will probably turn your hair grey.

If you obtain a visa that expires during your stay, begin the process for visa extension as soon as you are settled in Bangladesh. Security clearances and work permits are required for most visa extensions and these can take months and many painful hours wasted at immigration. Bangladesh’s visa office puts snails to shame. Your host organisation should assist with the visa extension process, but often they are as clueless as you. If your visa does expire you will have to pay a fine, a rate variable depending on your work and host organization. You will also require an exit visa to leave Bangladesh and this can likewise take months to obtain.

The visa extension process can be exasperating and you may convince yourself if only you could speak with the visa officer personally you could coerce them. Bribing is not recommended – it may work. But it may also jeopardise your chances and does little for the global stance against corruption.

The easiest and least stressful, but definitely the most expensive option is to leave Bangladesh and apply for a visa from outside. The bureaucratic chaos of Bangladesh apparently can’t be escaped within the sub-continent. A friend recently travelled to Kolkatta for a visa run. After five days lined up outside the consulate, speaking with the visa officer through a small whole in the wall, they eventually relented and gave her an emergency 18-day visa enabling her to return to Bangladesh and collect her possessions. Initially they were not going to give her anything, despite having the necessary paperwork described above. Tears of exasperation eventually broke the officers resolve. Her company later sent her to Singapore, where instead of harassment she was asked “What type of visa do you want:? Multiple or single entry?” That afternoon, she collected her visa and returned to Bangladesh.

My experience was similar. After extensive research probing others experiences, I chose Thailand over Singapore, as the flights were cheaper and my pasty skin needed a little tanning at the beach. I arrived in Sukhumvit on the back of a motorbike and was greeted by an air-conditioned office. I had a moment of fear and my heart raced when the receptionist said: “You’ll have to wait, the immigration officer will need to speak with you.” One hour and an ice coffee later, from a local vendor around the corner, the visa officer arrived. He needed to check what type of visa I wanted and whether I wanted to have obligatory breaks from Bangladesh every three months. Although tempting, I simply wanted the one-year multiple entrance visa, which I picked up three working days later.

Visa extensions are as hot a topic as our bodily movements in Bangladesh. And like the advice: ‘only eat hot food’, I would suggest the following: if you have the money fly out and get your visa outside the sub-continent. Take a week off, eat good food and recuperate – it’s not a bad excuse.

For a visa run destination outside the sub-continent, you probably have the freedom to choose your destination based on location rather than efficiency. Some rough flight estimates that might help guide your decision are listed below. Flights are return to Dhaka and include taxes, unless otherwise listed;

Singapore: USD 650
Hong Kong: USD 350
Kathmandu: USD 220 GMG
Thailand: USD 420 departs Chittagong: Wed, Fri, Sun
USD 490 Dhaka daily
USD 320 Druk Air, departs Sun, known to be unreliable

It’s probably best to check with the consulate in the country you choose to make sure you arrive with the necessary documents, photos and money, to make the process as simple as possible. The offices uphold the same holidays as Bangladesh, so don’t expect to visit during Eid and obtain a visa.

Good Luck, keep us posted of your success or any other clues that might help other travellers. Experienced travellers know the rules have changed almost monthly since the caretaker government took over, so even this advice comes with a disclaimer: check first!

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