Visiting Family in Bangladesh with a Foreign Passport? NVR Stamp vs. Tourist Visa on Arrival Guide

By Oscar MikeUpdated 12 November 20267 min read

If you were born in Bangladesh but now hold an Australian, British or other foreign passport, visiting family back home raises a practical question: do you need a visa every time, or is there a longer-term option?

The answer depends on how often you travel. Bangladesh offers two main entry routes for foreign passport holders: the Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Dhaka airport, and the NVR (No Visa Required) endorsement stamped or stickered into your passport at a Bangladesh embassy or consulate abroad.

This guide explains both options, who qualifies for each, what documents you need, and which one makes more sense depending on how you travel.

What Is the NVR (No Visa Required) Endorsement?

The NVR is an immigration endorsement placed in a foreign passport by a Bangladesh embassy or consulate. It comes as a sticker (vignette) on a blank passport page, replacing the older ink seal that is being phased out.

Once the NVR is in your passport, you can enter and leave Bangladesh as many times as you like, for stays of any length, without applying for a separate visa each trip. The endorsement remains valid for the lifetime of that passport.

When your passport expires and you get a new one, you apply for a fresh NVR in the new passport. You will need to show the expired passport containing the old NVR as proof of your previous endorsement.

At a glance

What it is: A lifetime no-visa-required endorsement in your foreign passport.
Who it is for: People of Bangladeshi origin, their spouses and children.
Where to apply: A Bangladesh embassy or consulate abroad — never at the airport.
Validity: The life of the passport it is placed in.
Entries: Unlimited, with no cap on length of stay.

Important

The NVR is strictly an immigration and entry endorsement. It is not the same as a Dual Nationality Certificate (DNC), which confers broader civil rights such as the ability to purchase land or open local bank accounts in Bangladesh. If you need those rights, apply for a DNC through a Bangladesh diplomatic mission.

Who Qualifies for the NVR?

The NVR is available to people with a documented connection to Bangladesh who now hold foreign citizenship. The main eligible groups are:

Former Bangladeshi citizens who now hold a foreign passport, for example Australian citizens born in Bangladesh
Foreign-born children or descendants of Bangladeshi citizens or people of Bangladeshi origin
Foreign spouses of Bangladeshi citizens or people of Bangladeshi origin

Important

A spouse's or parent's NVR does not automatically qualify you. You must apply separately with your own supporting documents proving the family connection to a Bangladeshi citizen.

Documents Required for an NVR Application

The exact requirements vary slightly between consulates, but the core documents are consistent.

If you are of Bangladeshi origin

Completed online application form from visa.gov.bd, printed as a PDF after submission
Photocopy of your Bangladeshi passport (expired or valid), National ID (NID), or official digital birth certificate
The original document for verification if applying in person
One passport-size photo, glued rather than stapled to the form

If you are the spouse of a Bangladeshi-origin person

Completed online application form from visa.gov.bd
Photocopy of your spouse’s Bangladeshi passport, NID, or birth certificate
Registered marriage certificate, or Nikah Nama plus a council-registered certificate if you married in the UK or Australia
Declaration of marriage, provided on the day of submission
One passport-size photo
Both applicant and Bangladeshi spouse must attend the appointment together

If you are the child of a Bangladeshi-origin person

Completed online application form from visa.gov.bd
Photocopy of the parent’s Bangladeshi passport, NID, or birth certificate
Your birth certificate showing the parent’s name
One passport-size photo

Expert tip

When filling in the online form at visa.gov.bd, avoid special characters in the address field. If the system throws an error, try a different browser. Select "Others" in the organisations field if none of the listed options apply.

How to Apply for the NVR

Applications are handled by Bangladesh embassies and consulates abroad. You cannot apply for the NVR inside Bangladesh or at the airport.

In person, by appointment

Complete the online application at visa.gov.bd and print the PDF
Book an appointment with your nearest Bangladesh High Commission or consulate
Attend on the appointment date with all required documents and originals for verification

By post, for origin-based applications only

Complete and print the online application form
Enclose your original foreign passport and all required supporting documents
Include the application fee — check your local consulate for the current amount and accepted payment method
Include a prepaid return envelope with tracking
Post everything to your nearest Bangladesh High Commission or consulate via registered mail

Important

Spouse-based NVR applications generally cannot be processed by post. Most consulates require both the applicant and the Bangladeshi spouse to attend an in-person appointment together. Check with your local consulate before sending a postal application if your NVR is based on marriage.

Expert tip

Processing times vary. In-person applications typically take five to seven working days. Postal applications can take three to four weeks or longer. The NVR is never processed as an urgent service, so apply well ahead of your travel date.

What Is the Visa on Arrival (VoA)?

The Visa on Arrival is a short-stay visa issued at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka when you land. It allows a single entry for up to 30 days.

The VoA is available to citizens of a range of countries, including Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, EU member states, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, China and Brunei. It also applies to travellers coming from countries without a Bangladesh diplomatic mission.

The fee is USD 51, payable in cash. At Dhaka airport you pay at the dedicated Sonali Bank counter inside the arrivals hall and collect an official receipt before joining the VoA immigration queue. You cannot pay by card. Our full Bangladesh Visa on Arrival guide walks through the airport process step by step.

NVR vs Visa on Arrival: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here is how the two options compare across the factors that matter most to regular travellers.

Factor	NVR endorsement	Visa on Arrival
Duration	Unlimited stays for the life of your passport	Maximum 30 days per entry
Entries	Multiple, unlimited	Single entry only
Where to apply	Bangladesh embassy or consulate abroad, in advance	Issued on arrival at Dhaka airport
Cost	Varies by consulate (around GBP 70 in the UK)	USD 51 per entry, cash only
Processing time	One to four weeks	At the counter, but queues can be long
Best for	Frequent visitors and diaspora families	One-off or emergency trips

Expert tip

If you visit Bangladesh more than once a year, the NVR pays for itself quickly. Two VoA entries at USD 51 each already cost more than most consulates charge for an NVR that covers every trip for the rest of your passport's life.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose the NVR if

You visit Bangladesh regularly to see family
You want to avoid airport queues and paperwork every trip
You plan to stay longer than 30 days on any visit
You are of Bangladeshi origin and can provide supporting documents

Choose the Visa on Arrival if

You are making a one-off or last-minute trip
You do not have the documents required for an NVR
Your stay will be under 30 days and you do not plan to return soon

Do Not Forget the E-Arrival Card

Whichever entry route you use, all foreign passport holders flying into Bangladesh must also complete the Bangladesh e-Arrival Card online before they travel. This is a separate immigration form and is not part of your visa or NVR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an NVR at the airport?

No. The NVR must be applied for in advance at a Bangladesh embassy or consulate abroad. It cannot be issued on arrival.

Does my spouse automatically get an NVR if I have one?

No. Each person must apply individually with their own supporting documents. A spouse's NVR does not extend to you.

What if my NVR passport expires?

Apply for a new NVR in your new passport. Bring the expired passport with the old NVR as proof of your previous endorsement.

Can I extend a Visa on Arrival beyond 30 days?

Extensions are not standard. If you need to stay longer, contact the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka before your 30 days expire. For regular long stays, the NVR is the better option.

Is the VoA available at Chittagong or Sylhet airports?

VoA is primarily processed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Availability at other airports may vary. If you are flying into Chittagong or Sylhet, confirm with the airline and check the latest government guidance before you travel.

Is the NVR the same as dual citizenship?

No. The NVR only covers entry and stay. A Dual Nationality Certificate is the separate document that grants broader civil rights such as buying land or opening a local bank account.

Before You Fly

Check the Smartraveller Bangladesh page for the latest Australian Government travel advice. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity from your arrival date, and confirm that your NVR sticker or visa documentation is in order before you head to the airport.

If you need help planning flights to Dhaka, Chittagong or Sylhet for your next family visit, the Airways Travel team specialises in flights from Australia to Bangladesh and can assist with airfares, travel documentation questions and hotel bookings.

Oscar Mike

Travel & Tourism Specialist

Oscar Mike writes about travel and tourism for Airways Travel, with a focus on the paperwork and planning that trips up Australian travellers heading overseas. His work covers entry requirements and visa rules, airline and airport policy, fare trends on the Australia–India and Australia–South Asia routes, and destination guides for families flying long-haul. He spends a lot of time reading government travel notices so you do not have to, and turns them into plain-English guides you can act on before you get to the check-in desk.