Bangladeshi passport holders can visit approximately 40–45 countries visa-free or with visa on arrival — a number that has gradually improved over the past decade. For the vast majority of popular destinations (India, UAE, UK, USA, Europe, Southeast Asia), a visa is required in advance. The good news is that the application process for many destinations has become increasingly streamlined with online visa systems.
Dhaka's HSIA handles the overwhelming majority of international departures from Bangladesh. A third terminal (Terminal 3) opened in 2024, significantly increasing capacity and improving the passenger experience.
Terminal 3 (New): Handles international departures for selected airlines from 2024 onwards. Modern, spacious, better retail and dining. Check which terminal your airline uses when checking in.
Terminal 1 (Old domestic/some international): Some carriers still operate from here. Smaller, more basic.
Getting to the airport:
| Airline | Key Destinations | Flights/Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biman Bangladesh | London, New York, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Delhi | Multiple | Bangladesh's national carrier |
| Emirates | Dubai (connections worldwide) | 14+ | Most popular for Europe/USA via Dubai |
| Qatar Airways | Doha (connections worldwide) | 14+ | Excellent connection hub |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (connections worldwide) | 7 | Good Europe connector |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi (connections worldwide) | 7 | Good for Australia via AUH |
| Air Arabia | Sharjah/Abu Dhabi | 7+ | Budget Middle East option |
| IndiGo | Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai | 14+ | Best for India connections |
| Air India | Delhi, Kolkata | 7 | Good for India direct |
| Malindo/Batik Air | Kuala Lumpur | 7 | Budget Southeast Asia |
| Thai Airways | Bangkok | 7 | Good for Southeast Asia hub |
| Fly Dubai | Dubai | 7 | Budget Dubai option |
| Jazeera Airways | Kuwait | 7 | Popular Middle East worker route |
India is the most visited international destination for Bangladeshis — for medical treatment, education, tourism and family visits.
Visa: India e-visa available online (indianvisaonline.gov.in). Processing: 2–5 business days. Fee: approximately USD 25 for tourist visa. Multiple-entry tourist visas available.
Routes: Multiple daily flights Dhaka–Kolkata, Dhaka–Delhi, Dhaka–Chennai. Also overland border crossings (Benapole/Petrapole, Akhaura/Agartala, Tamabil/Dawki).
Flight fares (Dhaka–Kolkata): ৳8,000–৳18,000 depending on airline and advance notice.
Millions of Bangladeshi workers and a growing tourism/shopping travel segment make UAE the most popular non-India destination.
Visa: UAE tourist visa required. Apply through an Emirates/Etihad/Air Arabia flight booking (visa support included with ticket purchase) or through a registered travel agent. Fee: approximately AED 250 (৳7,500–৳8,000). Processing: 3–5 business days.
Flight fares (Dhaka–Dubai): ৳28,000–৳65,000 depending on airline and timing.
Popular destination for tourism and the large Bangladeshi worker community.
Visa: Malaysia has reinstated visa-free access for Bangladeshi nationals for short stays — confirm current policy at the Malaysian High Commission website as this can change.
Flight fares (Dhaka–KL): ৳22,000–৳48,000.
Growing tourism destination — Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai draw increasing numbers of Bangladeshi tourists.
Visa: Thailand visa on arrival available for Bangladeshi passport holders at major airports. Fee: approximately THB 2,000 (৳6,500). Maximum stay: 30 days. Alternatively apply for a 60-day tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka in advance.
These high-income country visas require extensive documentation and have significant refusal rates for Bangladeshi applicants. Key requirements typically include:
Use a reputable, registered immigration consultant for these applications — not unregistered agents making guarantees.
Google Flights is the most powerful tool for finding the best Dhaka (DAC) international fares. Key features:
Google Flights shows you the cheapest fare and where to buy it. For most international routes from Dhaka, check whether the airline's direct website offers the same or better fare before booking through an OTA. Many airlines offer exclusive web fares or perks (extra baggage, seat selection) for direct bookings.
| Destination | Optimal Booking Window | Worst Booking Window |
|---|---|---|
| India | 2–4 weeks | Same week |
| UAE/Middle East | 4–8 weeks | Last 2 weeks |
| Southeast Asia | 6–10 weeks | Last 3 weeks |
| Europe/UK | 2–4 months | Last 6 weeks |
| USA/Canada | 3–5 months | Last 2 months |
| Australia | 3–6 months | Last 2 months |