Living in Bangladesh

This

Getting guidehelp setswith outliving essentialin informationBangladesh

Help forfrom Britishthe citizensBangladeshi government

For any questions about moving to or living in Bangladesh.Bangladesh, Readyou aboutmay howbe ourable to get help from the:

• Bangladesh High Commission in DhakaLondon
• Bangladesh canImmigration help.  
  Police

ThisThe informationUK isgovernment providedand asthe aBritish guideHigh only.Commission Youin shouldDhaka getcannot definitivegive informationpersonalised fromadvice theon Bangladeshimoving authorities.to, Theliving Foreign,or Commonwealthretiring &in DevelopmentBangladesh.

Professional Officehelp (FCDO)in isBangladesh

You notcan liablealso forget anyhelp inaccuraciesfrom English-speaking professionals in thisBangladesh, information.   including:

• lawyers
• translators
• notaries
• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

SupportRead the travel advice for BritishBangladesh Nationalsto Abroad:understand Athe Guiderisks setsyou outmay howface Britishif nationalsyou canlive stayin safeor abroadvisit andBangladesh. howThis includes the FCDOlatest caninformation helpon:

• visas ifand youentry dorequirements
• laws getand intocultural difficulty. 
  differences
• safety and security

Read generalour guidance on movingon moving, living or retiring abroad.abroad .

ToGet stayhelp upfrom to date:  follow the BritishUK Highgovernment Commissionabroad, Dhakaincluding onin Facebookan and X.emergency.

BeforeVisas, youresidency go and citizenship

SeeMake oursure travelyou advicemeet the entry requirements for Bangladesh forbefore up-to-dateyou informationtravel.

Visas

Check onwhich entryBangladeshi requirements,visa localyou lawsneed andto customs,live safetyin and emergencies.   Bangladesh.

Visas and residency 

You mustcan tellget thea UKvisa governmentto:

• work
• study
• invest officesor thatdo dealbusiness
• do research
• live with yourfamily

For benefits,more pensioninformation, andincluding taxhow ifto youapply are movingfor or retiringextend abroad. 

Checkyour the visa, read the entry requirements for Bangladesh.

Registering inas oura travelresident

Once adviceyou andarrive, readyou theneed to register your address in Bangladesh government’sif visayou page. 

Passportsplan andto travel 

stay for more than 90 days. You can applymust fordo orthis renewwithin 7 days of your Britisharrival. passportRead fromthe Bangladesh Immigration Police’s guidance on foreigner registration rules. .

CheckIf theyou Bangladeshhave travelany adviceproblems foror passportquestions validityabout requirements.registering your address, contact:

Healthcare

• the Bangladesh Immigration Police
• an English-speaking lawyer in Bangladesh 

Bangladesh

Permanent residency

You shouldmay buy comprehensivebe travelable andto medicalapply insurance beforefor youpermanent travel.residency Bangladeshin hasBangladesh.

To extremelyfind limitedout freeif medicalyou’re careeligible and,and whilsthow coststo areapply, generallycontact lowerthe thanBangladesh privateHigh treatmentCommission in theLondon.

Citizenship

Bangladesh UK,recognises theydual cancitizenship risefor steeply. 

YouUK shouldcitizens contactof yourBangladeshi insurance/medicalorigin. assistanceDepending companyon promptlyyour ifcircumstances, you aremay referredor may not have to agive medicalup facility(renounce) foryour treatment. British citizenship to become a Bangladeshi citizen.

MedicalTo facilitiesfind areout generallyif goodyou’re ineligible majorfor cities,Bangladeshi butcitizenship:

• read limitedthe inBangladesh ruralCitizenship areas.Act, There1951
• read arethe someBangladesh endemicHigh diseasesCommission in Bangladesh,London’s includingguidance malariaon anddual dengue.nationality Ifcertificates youfor needUK emergencycitizens medicalof assistance,Bangladeshi dialorigin
• contact the NationalBangladesh EmergencyHigh HelpdeskCommission atin 999London

Help with visa, residency and askcitizenship forapplications

The anBritish ambulance.High ImmediateCommission cashin paymentDhaka couldcannot behelp requiredwith forBangladeshi anyvisa, medicalresidency service. or citizenship applications.

IfFor youany havequestions anyor particularissues, medicalcontact:

• the needsBangladesh youImmigration shouldPolice
• the ensureBangladesh thatHigh youCommission havein adequateLondon
• an suppliesEnglish-speaking oflawyer yourin medicinesBangladesh

Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• apply for youra stayBritish inpassport Bangladeshfrom asabroad
• travel theurgently samewithout medicinesyour mightBritish notpassport

Dual becitizens availabletravelling locally. 

to the UK

SeeWhen listtravelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of medicalentitlement. facilitiesRead inguidance Bangladeshon dual citizenship. .

Healthcare in Bangladesh 

TravelRead insuranceour is notguidance intendedon tomoving, coverliving healthcareor costsretiring ifabroad. youThis livecovers overseas. how to:

IfMake sure you arehave onappropriate ahealth prescriptioninsurance forto cover any medicationhealthcare youcosts. shouldYou ensurecan youget haveinsurance afrom supplyBangladeshi ofor it,international providers, or arethrough ableyour toemployer. 

To obtainfind itout whenhow into Bangladesh.get Certainmedical medicinestreatment:

• contact mayyour notinsurance beprovider
• read availableguidance on health in Bangladesh
• visit (includingthe majorBangladesh brandsDirectorate readilyGeneral availableof inHealth theServices UK),website and(in youBengali mayand beEnglish)
• find prohibitedEnglish-speaking frommedical takingfacilities themand intodoctors thefor country.British Younationals shouldin consultBangladesh

Working yourin GPBangladesh

Read beforeour travellingguidance toon Bangladeshmoving, toliving findor outretiring aboutabroad. anyThis alternativecovers medication. 

Readworking the guidanceabroad, ifincluding documents you may need tofrom travelthe withUK medicines. government.

Working

To work in Bangladesh 

ForeignBangladesh, nationalsyou seekingneed employmenta inwork Bangladeshpermit mustor beemployment invisa. 

Work possessionpermits ofare aissued validby work permit.  the:

• Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)  issues— work permits for industrial enterprise, branch office and liaison office jobs in the private sector.sector
• Bangladesh EmploymentExport ofProcessing foreignersZones inAuthority the(BEPZA) export— promotionfor zonesjobs arein dealtthe by Bangladeshexport Exportpromotion Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA). zones
• NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) is(in responsibleBengali and English) — for workjobs in any non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh. 
  Bangladesh

Recognition of qualifications

MoreIf informationyou andwant adviceto canwork bein obtainedBangladesh, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. Read guidance on foreign degree equivalence (in Bengali and English) from the nearestUniversity BangladeshiGrants HighCommission Commission.of Bangladesh.

StudyingDriving in Bangladesh Bangladesh

IfRead youour planguidance toon studymoving, inliving Bangladesh,or youretiring mustabroad. meetThis allcovers visahow requirementsto:

• drive beforeabroad youlegally
• take travel.your ReadUK thevehicle Bangladeshabroad
• get government’sdriving visalicence page. 
  letters

ContactYou thecan relevantdrive higher education provider in Bangladesh tofor checkup what fees you have to pay.

Tax 

The12 Nationalmonths Boardusing ofan Revenueinternational (NBR)driving permit isalongside theyour apexvalid authorityUK fordriving tax administration in Bangladesh.  licence.

TheTo UKcontinue hasdriving a doubleafter taxation12 agreementmonths, withyou Bangladeshmust thatapply youfor doa notBangladeshi paydriving taxlicence onfrom the sameBangladesh incomeRoad inTransport bothAuthority (BRTA) countries.(in YouBengali shouldand getEnglish).

Read professionalabout adviceroad ontravel payingin taxBangladesh, in Bangladesh;safety findand ansecurity English-speakingin lawyerthe intravel advice for Bangladesh.  .

ReadBRTA guidanceprovides on: 

• taxinformation ifon youdriving leavein theBangladesh, UKincluding tohow live abroad  to:

  • taxapply onfor youror UKrenew incomea ifBangladeshi youdriving livelicence abroad(in Bengali) 

  • taxregister if you get a pensionvehicle andin liveBangladesh abroad(in Bengali) 

  Tax

  payingRead Nationalour Insuranceguidance whileon abroad moving, toliving protector yourretiring Stateabroad. PensionThis andcovers entitlementtax, toincluding otherpaying benefitsUK tax and allowancesNational Insurance.

Benefits  

CheckThe which UK benefitshas youa candouble claimtaxation whileagreement abroadwith Bangladesh and howso tothat claimyou them. 

Manydo income-relatednot benefitspay suchtax ason Pensionthe Creditsame andincome Housingin Benefitboth cannotcountries.

Contact bethe paidBangladesh ifNational you’reBoard abroadof Revenue for moreany thanquestions 4about weeks. double taxation relief.

Pensions 

Read StateConsider Pensiongetting guidanceprofessional ifadvice youon havepaying livedtax in Australia,Bangladesh. CanadaTo ordo Newthis, Zealandfind andan youEnglish-speaking arelawyer claimingin orBangladesh.

Pensions

Claiming waiting to claim your UK State Pension.  

pension

IfRead youour retireguidance inon Bangladesh,moving, youliving canor retiring abroad. This covers:

• how to claim your UK State Pension or
• where newthe UK Stategovernment Pension.pays Contactan theannual Internationalincrease Pensionin Centrethe forState further information. 
  Pension

LifeClaiming certificatesa forBangladeshi UK State Pensions pension

IfOnly youBangladeshi getcitizens a ‘lifeor certificate’dual fromcitizens thecan UKclaim Pensiona Service,Bangladeshi youpension. mustContact respondthe asBangladesh soonNational asPension possible.Authority Your(in paymentsBengali mayand beEnglish) suspendedto iffind out whether you docan not.claim.

MoneyBenefits

Claiming andUK banking  

benefits

TheRead localour currencyguidance ison Taka.moving, Travellers’living chequesor canretiring beabroad. cashedThis atcovers bankshow andto atclaim theUK airports.benefits Takeabroad, careincluding whenChild usingBenefit.

Claiming creditBangladeshi cardsbenefits

Only asBangladeshi there’scitizens theor potentialdual forcitizens fraud.can ATMsclaim aresocial availablebenefits in mostBangladesh.

To urbanfind areas.out UKif cardsyou’re areeligible accepted.and Therehow areto commercialclaim, moneycontact transferthe services available in towns and cities across Bangladesh whereDepartment youof canSocial receiveServices money(in sentBengali fromand the UK. English). 

AccommodationBuying and buyingrenting property property in Bangladesh

SeeRead buyingour aguidance propertyon moving, living or retiring abroad. 

You. shouldThis takecovers legalbuying adviceand beforerenting enteringproperty intoabroad.

Contact anyan agreementEnglish-speaking overlawyer thein ownershipBangladesh orif useyou’re ofconsidering buying property or other assets. land.

Property disputes

Disputes over property ownership are common in Bangladesh. However,These these are civil matters, and the British High Commission in Dhaka cannot intervene inor theseassist. matters. Consular staff arealso notcannot legally trained and cannot, therefore, offer legal advice.

If youyou’re are unable to reachresolve an amicable solution to the situation,property youdispute, may wish to consider taking legal advice andfrom engaging aan localEnglish-speaking lawyer to actin onBangladesh. yourYou behalf. It may beneed necessary to takego legal action through the courts in order to achievecourt a lasting resolution to resolve the disagreement. issue.

TheIf Foreign,you Commonwealthhave &been Development Office or the Britishvictim Highof Commission is unable investigate a crime orrelated offer protection to Britisha nationalsproperty travellingdispute:

• read toguidance Bangladeshon asgetting thesehelp arein the responsibilitiestravel ofadvice for Bangladesh
• contact the local authorities.authorities Inor caseemergency ofservices

The anyUK emergency,government youand can dial the BangladeshBritish NationalHigh EmergencyCommission Helplinein -Dhaka 999cannot frominvestigate yourcrimes mobile/telephoneor foroffer anyprotection assistanceto whilstBritish nationals in Bangladesh. Bangladesh.

Check our Travel Advice for Bangladesh for additional information.

DrivingVoting in Bangladesh Bangladesh

See

UK guidance on driving abroad.

elections

IfRead you’reour askedguidance foron amoving, letterliving authenticating, certifying or validatingretiring yourabroad. UKThis driver’scovers licence,how youto:

• vote shouldin contactUK yourelections UKfrom issuingabroad
• register officeas (egan theoverseas DVLA).
  voter

Bangladeshi elections

ReadYou guidancecannot forvote travelling by road in Bangladesh. 

ReadBangladeshi thiselections guidanceunless if you wishhold toBangladeshi takecitizenship.

Studying yourin vehicle with you.

Bangladesh

HoldersIf ofyou UKplan driving licences will need to obtainstudy an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Bangladesh.Bangladesh, Anyou IDP is valid for 12 months following arrival in the country. The IDP must bemeet accompaniedall byvisa yourrequirements UKbefore driving licence. After 12 months you willtravel.

For needmore to obtain a Bangladeshi driving licence issued by the Bangladesh Roads Transport Authority (BRTA). information:

Bangladesh

• read drivesguidance on thetravel left.grants Roadfor conditionsstudents andstudying drivingabroad standardsor inon Bangladeshplacements can(England)
• contact beyour challenging.higher Vehicleseducation areprovider often in poorthe conditionUK andor canBangladesh
• contact be found driving on the wrongBangladesh sideDirectorate of theSecondary road,and reversingHigher onEducation main(in roads,Bengali notand signallingEnglish)

Children

Read theirour intentionsguidance andon makingmoving, U-turnsliving unexpectedly.or Manyretiring driversabroad. areThis unlicensedcovers andmoving uninsured.abroad Manywith roadschildren, inincluding:

• getting bothpermission urbanto andtake ruralyour areaschild areabroad
• claiming inUK extremelyChild poorBenefit condition.abroad
• child Caremaintenance andpayments patienceif isa requiredparent tolives navigateabroad

Schools safely. 

and education

The numberBangladesh Ministry of vehiclesPrimary onand theMass roadsEducation is(in increasingBengali and heavyEnglish) congestionand isthe common.Bangladesh LackDirectorate of disciplineSecondary and theHigher numerousEducation cycle-rickshaws(in plyingBengali theand streetsEnglish) causeprovide muchinformation ofabout the chaosschool onsystem Bangladeshin roads. Bangladesh.

AtAll thechildren sceneaged of6 anto accident,10 crowdsmust canattend gatherschool quicklyin andBangladesh.

For tempersmore caninformation, fray,including potentiallyhow leading to violentenrol confrontation,your evenchild, itvisit is not your fault.local Ifschool.

Births, youdeaths, aremarriages involved in an accident, call the police immediately and remaincivil calm. 

partnerships

Disabled drivers Births

If youyour havechild ais UKborn Blue Badge and live in Bangladesh, youregister mustthe returnbirth itwith to the originalBangladeshi UKauthorities. issuingRead authority.

Voting 

Youguidance mayfrom bethe ableBangladesh toOffice voteof inthe someRegistrar UKGeneral, elections.Birth Youand can: 

• checkDeath ifRegistration you(in areBengali ableand to voteEnglish) .

• registerRead asour anguidance overseason voter

Births,moving, deaths,living marriageor andretiring civilabroad. partnership 

Births 

IfThis yourcovers childhow is born in Bangladesh you should to:

• register the birth with the localUK authorities. authorities Youto canget thena register with the UK authoritiesbirth and certificate
• apply for ayour UKchild’s birthfirst certificate.   
  British passport

Deaths

IfRead yourour childguidance hason Britishmoving, nationalityliving or retiring abroad, you. This covers:

• what to do notafter needsomeone dies abroad
• how to register the birthdeath with the UK authoritiesUK to apply for a British passport.  
  authorities

Deaths 

 IfIf someone dies in BangladeshBangladesh, read our guidance on: on:

• what to do ifwhen someone dies abroad 
• bereavementin guidance for Bangladesh  
• English-speaking funeral directors in Bangladesh  

MarriageMarriages and civil partnership partnerships

FindRead out howour youguidance canon getmoving, marriedliving or getretiring a civil partnership abroad.

Pets 

If you’reThis movingcovers how to Bangladeshget withmarried youror pet,form reada thecivil guidancepartnership and ensure you comply with the regulations: abroad.

• taking

  Same yoursex petmarriages abroad 

Toand visitcivil otherpartnerships countriesare withnot yourlegally pet,recognised checkin theBangladesh. rulesFor forinformation theabout countryLGBT+ you’rerights travellingin to.Bangladesh, Contactread yourguidance veton tosafety getand security in the travel documentsadvice yourfor pet needs. Bangladesh.

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on: 

• bringingon yourmoving, petliving toor Greatretiring Britainabroad. CheckThis thatcovers yourhow pet’sto rabiesget vaccinationsa aredivorce upor toend date.a Vetscivil inpartnership.

  If Greatyou Britainplan cannotto enterdivorce rabiesin vaccinationBangladesh, detailsconsider intaking non-UKlegal issuedadvice petfrom passports 

• travellingan toEnglish-speaking Irelandlawyer within your petBangladesh.

Emergencies 

DialDocuments the Bangladesh Emergency Helpline 999 for theBritish police,people ambulance,in or fire brigade.  

Bangladesh

IfRead youour have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Bangladesh, read the guidance on whatdocuments tofor do andBritish wherepeople to get support in cases of rape and sexual assaultabroad..  SeeThis also:  covers: 

• victimslegalising of rape and sexualcertifying assault 

  UK documents

• listmarriage ofand lawyerscivil inpartnership Bangladesh 

  documents
• affirmations and affidavits
• witnessing signatures

If

Lawyers, you’retranslators aand victimnotaries

To offind crime,an haveEnglish-speaking beenlawyer, arrested,translator or arenotary affectedin byBangladesh, aread crisis, contactguidance theon Britishprofessional Highservices Commissionif inyou’re Dhakaabroad .

Pets

ReadIf theyou guidancewant onto internationalbring parentalyour childpet abductionwith ifyou to Bangladesh, read guidance on taking your childpet maydog, becat ator riskferret ofto this. a non-EU country.

Returning to the UK UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanentlythe UK permanently which. This includes information on bringing family members,members back to the UK, tax and access to services. services.

Useful information Disclaimer

SupportWe forprovide Britishthis nationalsinformation abroad:as a guide sets outonly. howFor todefinitive stayinformation, safecontact abroad, and explains how the Foreign,Bangladeshi Commonwealthauthorities.

Read &our Developmentconsular Officeinformation (FCDO) can support you if you get into difficulty.disclaimer.