Bangla

Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%

The economy has grown 5-6% over the past few years despite inefficient state-owned enterprises, delays in exploiting natural gas resources, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garment exports and remittances from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East and East Asia, fuel economic growth.

Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force (Bangladesh Biman Bahini, BAF)

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. The United States is on a list of countries eligible for visitor (tourist) visas on arrival (landing permits). The country of Bangladesh has not widely publicized their policies for visas on arrival and travelers should be aware that delays may be encountered in airport visa issuance. Additionally, if issued, landing permit validity is usually limited to a maximum of fifteen days. A valid visa in an expired or canceled US passport is not acceptable to the Bangladeshi authorities; if you are issued a new US passport, you will need a new visa.
If you intend to use Dhaka as a hub from which to visit other countries in the region, ensure that you obtain a multiple-entry Bangladeshi visa before arrival. If you intend to work for a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Bangladesh, you should ensure that your sponsor has provided you with up-to-date advice on the kind of visa you must obtain before arrival. It is difficult and time-consuming to change your immigration status once you have arrived in Bangladesh.
Visas to Bangladesh which are expiring may be extended at the Directorate of Immigration and Passport, located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka. The phone numbers are (880-2) 913-1891 and 913-4011.
Visa rules, introduced in October 2006, require foreign nationals who come to Bangladesh to work or for long-term visits to have the appropriate work permits and clearances on arrival. There are increased financial penalties for overstaying visas.  Additionally, those who overstay for more than 90 days face the possibility of being charged with violating the Foreigners Act of 1946. For further information on these rules, please check with the nearest Bangladeshi Embassy or Consulate (US addresses listed below) before traveling, or visit the Bangladeshi Immigration Police web site at http://www.immi.gov.bd/, which provides further details on rules relating to foreigner registrations.
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 often 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, depending on the destination (e.g., the departure tax for the US is the most expensive, at USD $43). There is no travel tax for transit passengers transiting Bangladesh without a visa and in country for 72 hours or fewer. 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 web site at http://www.nbr-bd.org/.
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 NW, Washington, DC  20008, telephone 202-244-0183/7248/ 7216/3830/3571, fax 202-244-2771/7830, web site http://www.bangladoot.org, or the Bangladeshi Consulates in New York at 211 E. 43rd Street, Suite 502, New York, NY 10017, telephone 212-599-6767/6850/1874, fax 212-682-9211, web site http://www.bdcgny.org or Los Angeles at 10850 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1250, Los Angeles, CA 90024, telephone 323-932-0100, fax 323-932-9703. Visit the Embassy of Bangladesh web site at http://www.bangladeshconsulatela.com for the most current visa information.

Airports: 16, Airports with paved runways: 15

Dhaka Airport, Bangladesh, House #11/A, Road #10, Sector #01, Uttara, Dhaka 1230, BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 (0)2 896 0825, +880 (0)2 895 4233
Fax: +880 (0)2 891 8589
Email: info@aex-bd.com

Chittagong Airport, Bangladesh, Patenga, Chittagong, BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 (0)31 500171/1

Elections were held on December 29, 2008 and a new government was sworn in on January 6, 2009. The security situation in Bangladesh is fluid, and Americans are urged to check with the U.S. Embassy for the latest information.

Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Bangladesh from time to time. US citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence quickly and unexpectedly. US citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. For this reason, the US Embassy recommends that US citizens proceed with caution in traveling to all universities and colleges in Dhaka at all times. The US Embassy also recommends that US citizens avoid Road 86 in the Gulshan-2 area of Dhaka. One of the major national political parties’ headquarters is located on this road. Large unscheduled events occur frequently and usually spill out on to the road, making it impassable. Baitul Mukarram Mosque (National Mosque),Muktangan (bordered by Baitul Mukarram Mosque to the east, the General Post Office or GPO to the south, the Secretariat to the West, and Topkhana Road to the North) , and Topkhana-Motijheel Road should be avoided on Fridays from noon to 6:00pm.
US citizens should stay up-to-date with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Information regarding demonstrations in Bangladesh can be found on the U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s web site.
Protests involving workers from the large garment-manufacturing industry are not uncommon. Visitors to Bangladesh should check US Embassy Dhaka’s web site for updated information on the current political and security situation.
US citizens are advised against traveling to the Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to kidnappings and other security incidents, including those involving foreign nationals. Foreigners traveling in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are required to register with local authorities.  Additionally, the US Embassy has in the past received reports of incidents of kidnapping, arms and narcotics smuggling and clashes between local Bangladeshis and Rohingyan refugees in areas near Rohingyan refugee camps in the Teknaf, Kutupalong, Ukhia, and Ramu areas of the Cox’s Bazar district. The US Embassy also recommends against travel to these areas. Individuals who choose to visit these districts are urged to exercise extreme caution.

Infant MR  total:  64.32 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL  61.71 yrs. (male 61.8/female 61.61)

Required: None
Recommended: Hep A&B, Japanese encephalitis, Malaria (Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in South Asia and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.), Rabies, Typhoid 
Boosters: MMR, DPT as needed

High risk of Malaria throughout the country, except Dhaka.
Filariasis is common in Bangladesh. A sharp rise in the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis has been observed in Bangladesh. Outbreaks of dengue fever can occur in Bangladesh. Japanese encephalitis occurs widely except in mountainous areas. Rabies is common in the region and poses a risk to travelers, especially to rural areas. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection often contracted through recreational water activities in contaminated water is common in tropical areas of this region.

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.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to cause outbreaks in domestic and wild bird populations and has caused human cases in several South Asian countries. Avoid all direct contact with birds, including domestic poultry (such as chickens and ducks) and wild birds, and avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live birds are raised or kept.  For a current list of countries reporting outbreaks of H5N1 among poultry and/or wild birds, view updates from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and for total numbers of confirmed human cases of H5N1 virus by country see the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza website.

Country Calling Code:  +880
Internet Country Code:  .bd