PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Bangladesh

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Bangladesh.

Permitted stay

Not published for South Africans. Set by the visa issued.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism, business and other purposes, each needing the matching visa.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages and no damage. The UK FCDO says the 6 months is counted from the visa's start date.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • Proof of funds

    Last 3 months of bank statements with the application (GSA).

  • Accommodation or invitation

    Invitation letter from a Bangladeshi citizen, or a purpose-of-visit statement (GSA).

  • 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.

  • Arrival forms

    Electronic arrival and departure cards must be completed online before entry and before departure (UK FCDO).

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Research sources

  1. 1. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bangladesh/entry-requirements
  2. 2. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Bangladesh
  3. 3. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  4. 4. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2728-bangladesh-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/bangladesh. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.