Last updated: 7 Jan 2026
Bangladesh
About
| Bangladesh is a fascinating and beautiful country with a friendly, welcoming population. With a mostly pancake-flat landscape dissected by wide rivers, annual flooding is a fact of life that frequently causes widespread destruction. Such flooding also brings fertility and as a result Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries. The world's longest and broadest beach, Inani Beach, is just south of Cox's Bazar, a thriving regional tourist centre and beach resort in the extreme southeast of Bangladesh Go birdwatching in the Rajendrapur National Park, about 50km north of the capital, which is noted for its varied birdlife. An excursion to Kaptai Lake in the Rangamati Hill District, east of Chittagong, offers sailing, swimming and fishing as well as an opportunity for a glimpse at Chittagong Hill Tracts tribal culture. |
|
| Official Name: | The People’s Republic of Bangladesh |
| Capital: | Dhaka (DAC) |
| Currency: | Bangladesh Taka (BDT) |
| Language: | Bangla (or, Bengali). English is widely spoken. Several tribal languages are spoken, including Garo, Khashia, Magh, Manipuri, Munda, Chakma and Tipra. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 880 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +6 (4 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left. International Driving Permit required. |
| Best Time to Go: | October – February. March – Mid May is the hot season and May – October is the wet season. |
| Best for: | Archaeological Sites, Cultural Exploration, Beach Resorts |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Sockets accept a mixture of British-style three-prong plugs, standard European rounded two-pin plugs, rounded three-pin plugs and American-style two-pin plugs |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | The left hand is considered unclean and shouldn’t be used to greet or pass food. Women should dress conservatively (keep their arms and legs covered). Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Homosexual relationships are illegal. There are severe penalties for possession and trafficking of drugs. Do not photograph military installations. Identification should be carried. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Protests should be avoided as they tend to turn violent. ATM’s are common in the main cities, but cash should be carried if visiting smaller towns. Credit cards may be accepted in Dhaka, but have limited acceptance elsewhere. Pickpocketing is frequent and aimed at tourists. Public transport can be unsafe. Permission should be asked before photographing people, especially women. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Bangladesh by travellers over 18 years old without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco. • 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages of up to 1.25L. • 250ml of perfume. You can buy duty-free items at Dhaka Airport's duty-free shop on arrival. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Firearms and some animals |
Issuing Authorities
Bangladesh High Commission
410 Farenden Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria 0002
Tel: 012 343 2105 / 6 / 7
E-mail: mission.pretoria@mofa.gov.bd
Web: pretoria.mofa.gov.bd
Mon-Fri: 08:00 - 16:00 | Closed for lunch 12:30-13:30
Closed for prayer Fri 12:30-14:00
Public Holidays 2026: Feb 21; Mar 20-22, 26; Apr 14; May 1, 27-29; Jun 17-26; Aug 5, 26; Sep 4; Dec 16, 25
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders are required to obtain a visa to enter Bangladesh.
- Visa applications must be handed in at the Embassy. NOTE: all visa decisions are made by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh, and not with the embassy staff.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 1 completed application form
- 2 Passport size photos
- Police verification report
- Latest 3 months bank statements
- Invitation Letter from Bangladeshi Citizen residing in Bangladesh with their National Identity (NID) Card Copy or Bangladeshi Passport Copy, and reachable Bangladeshi mobile number OR Purpose of Visit Statement duly signed, if not
invited from Bangladesh - Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) plus copy.
Additional requirements for Business Travel and other purposes may apply.
Visa Processing Time
10 working days.
Visa Cost
Free to South African passport holders
SA Representative
Representation accredited from New Delhi, India
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
