Bangladesh: do South Africans need a visa?
South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Bangladesh.
Not published for South Africans. Set by the visa issued.
Visa required, obtained in advance from the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria. South Africa is not on the list of nationalities eligible for visa on arrival (Wikipedia's Visa policy of Bangladesh), and a South African visa agency lists only the embassy route.342
Before you travel
Length of stay
Not published by official sources
Purpose of visit
Tourism, business and other purposes, each needing the matching visa.2
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Passport validity
How to apply
Apply in person at the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria. GSA says the visa is free for South African passport holders and takes about 10 working days. Decisions are made by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh. Documents: application form, 2 passport photos, police verification report, last 3 months of bank statements, passport plus copy, and either an invitation letter from a Bangladeshi citizen (with their national ID or passport copy and mobile number) or a statement of the purpose of your visit.2
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Where South Africans apply
Bangladesh High Commission, 410 Farenden Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria 0002. Tel 012 343 2105/6/7. Email mission.pretoria@mofa.gov.bd. Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00 (lunch 12:30 to 13:30; Friday prayer 12:30 to 14:00).2
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Travel insurance
Not published by official sources
Return or onward ticket
Not published for the consular visa. FCDO says on-arrival visas need a return ticket, and border checks during election periods may ask for onward tickets.1
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Proof of funds
Last 3 months of bank statements with the application (GSA).2
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Accommodation or invitation
Invitation letter from a Bangladeshi citizen, or a purpose-of-visit statement (GSA).2
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa
Bangladesh requires a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a yellow fever transmission risk country, and polio vaccination may be required in some cases (UK FCDO). Bangladesh is not a yellow fever risk country, so South Africa does not require a yellow fever certificate when you return directly.1
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Arrival forms
Electronic arrival and departure cards must be completed online before entry and before departure (UK FCDO).1
Not yet confirmed by an official source
Extending your stay and overstaying
Not published by official sources
Transit
Not published by official sources
Travelling with children
Not published by official sources
Sources
Other government
Official advice from other governments
Reference
Used to find official sources, never the final word
Commercial
Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies
- 2The GSA (South African visa agency) thegsa.co.za
Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.