(Last updated: 30 Mar 2012)

Visas

Australian business people travelling to Bangladesh require a visa.

Applications for a business visa from Canberra must include:

• A passport with minimum six months validity
• A completed application form
• A visa fee through bank cheque/postal money order
• Two recent photographs (approximately 40mm wide X 50mm high)
• An invitation letter from a Bangladeshi company or Austrade
• Return postage or arrangements for courier collection

An arrival visa (Landing Permit) can be granted to an Australian passport holder for 15 days, who has valid business documents and investors. However, this depends on the discretion of the immigration office.

For more detailed information please visit the Bangladesh High Commission website.

Climate

The best time to visit in Bangladesh is from November to February, as the temperatures are between 15°C to 25°C and rainfall is low. March to May is hot but comparatively dry. The most uncomfortable time of the year is the wet season, between June and September, where humidity is extremely high, coupled with temperatures of 32°C or higher.

For weather details in Bangladesh, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Dhaka is connected with major international airlines, however, there are no direct flights between Australia and Bangladesh.

Zia International Airport is about 12km from two five-star hotels (the Dhaka Sheraton and Pan Pacific Sonargaon), which are within in the main city centre. The hotel shuttle service or pre-arranged hotel limousine service is the best way to travel to the hotels. The cost for the hotel limousine is about A$35.

Ground transport

Car rental is available in Bangladesh including a driver and costs range between A$45-65 for an air-conditioned car per day (eight hours). For long-term visitors, car rental is available on an hourly, mileage or monthly basis.

Two types of taxis are available: the yellow cabs with air conditioning and the black cabs without. These are economical and reliable and arrangements are made through their call centres.

The air-conditioned yellow taxi cabs cost A$0.70 for the first two kilometres and then A$0.28 per kilometre.

The black taxi cabs with no air conditioning costs A$0.52 for the first two kilometres and then A$0.21 per kilometre.

Rail travel in air-conditioned or first class is quite comfortable for the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Sylhet routes.

Buses, peddle rickshaw and three wheelers are also available, but are not recommended for safety reasons.

Hotels

There are only five international five-star hotels available in Dhaka and the room rates start from US$135 per night, including taxes. Other local hotels (three and four-star) range from US$40-100 per night.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Bangladesh. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Travel to Chittagong Hill Tracts requires special permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is advisable not to visit the area at this moment due to a security threat.

Avoid walking through lanes and by-lanes at night.

Health

Travellers to Bangladesh are advised to have yellow fever vaccinations, however, this requirement will rarely be enforced unless you are arriving from an infected area.

Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are not required, but would be a wise precaution.

Travellers should drink bottled or boiled water only, and take care with under-cooked food, seafood/shellfish, and ice cream.

Tipping

Tipping five per cent is usually expected in the more expensive restaurants.

Time zones and time differences

Bangladesh is three hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time. Bangladesh has only one time zone.

To find out the current time in Dhaka, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Bangladesh’s country code is 880.

For calls to Bangladesh from Australia dial: 0011 + 880 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Bangladesh to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Government offices are open between 9.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday to Thursday. However, some private offices operates between Saturday to Thursday.

Banks are open between 9.00am–3.00pm Sunday to Thursday

Shops are open from 10.00am–8.00pm throughout the week, with different holidays for different shopping centres.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
February 21 – Shaheed Day
March 26 – Independence Day
April 14 – Bengali Solar New Year
May 1 – Labour Day
August 15 – National Mourning Day
November 7 – National Revolution Day
December 16 – Victory Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official currency is the Taka (BDT).

Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and by airlines in the main cities. Traveller's cheques and cash in US dollars or British pound sterling are the easiest to exchange.

Electricity and water

Bangladesh's power supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles; 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. Plugs are the two-prong, round variety. Major hotels also have the flat type, three-pin socket of British standard.