Guidance

Living in Bangladesh

Information for British citizens moving to or living in鈥疊angladesh, including guidance on鈥痟ealth, education,鈥痑nd鈥痓enefits.

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Bangladesh. Read about how our High Commission in Dhaka can help.听听

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Bangladeshi authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.听听听

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.听

Read general guidance on鈥moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:听 follow the British High Commission Dhaka on and .

Before you go听

See our travel advice for Bangladesh for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.听听听

Visas and residency听

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are鈥moving or retiring abroad.听

Check the鈥entry requirements for Bangladesh in our travel advice and read the Bangladesh government鈥檚 .听

Passports and travel听

You can鈥apply for or renew your British passport from Bangladesh.听

Check the Bangladesh travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Healthcare in Bangladesh听

You should buy鈥comprehensive travel and medical insurance鈥痓efore you travel. Bangladesh has extremely limited free medical care and, whilst costs are generally lower than private treatment in the UK, they can rise steeply.听

You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.听

Medical facilities are generally good in major cities, but limited in rural areas. There are some endemic diseases in Bangladesh, including malaria and dengue. If you need emergency medical assistance, dial the National Emergency Helpdesk at 999 and ask for an ambulance. Immediate cash payment could be required for any medical service.听

If you have any particular medical needs you should ensure that you have adequate supplies of your medicines for your stay in Bangladesh as the same medicines might not be available locally.听

See list of medical facilities in Bangladesh.听

Travel insurance is鈥not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.听

UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.听听

If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Bangladesh. Certain medicines may not be available in Bangladesh (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Bangladesh to find out about any alternative medication.听

Read the鈥guidance if you need to travel with medicines.听

Working in Bangladesh听

Foreign nationals seeking employment in Bangladesh must be in possession of a valid work permit.听听

鈥痠ssues work permits for industrial enterprise, branch office and liaison office jobs in the private sector. Employment of foreigners in the export promotion zones are dealt by鈥 is responsible for work in any non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh.听

More information and advice can be obtained from the nearest

Studying in Bangladesh听

If you plan to study in Bangladesh, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Read the Bangladesh government鈥檚 .听

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Bangladesh to check what fees you have to pay.

Tax听

The is the apex authority for tax administration in Bangladesh.听听

The UK has a鈥double taxation agreement with Bangladesh that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. You should get professional advice on paying tax in Bangladesh; find an .听听

Read guidance on:听

Benefits听听

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad鈥痑nd how to claim them.听

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you鈥檙e abroad for more than 4 weeks.听

Pensions听

搁别补诲鈥State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.听听

If you retire in Bangladesh, you can claim your UK State Pension鈥痮谤 new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.听

Life certificates for UK State Pensions听

If you get a鈥鈥榣ife certificate鈥 from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking听听

The local currency is Taka. Travellers鈥 cheques can be cashed at banks and at the airports. Take care when using credit cards as there鈥檚 the potential for fraud. ATMs are available in most urban areas. UK cards are accepted. There are commercial money transfer services available in towns and cities across Bangladesh where you can receive money sent from the UK.听

Accommodation and buying property听

See buying a property abroad.听

You should take legal advice before entering into any agreement over the ownership or use of property or other assets.听

Disputes over property ownership are common in Bangladesh. However, these are civil matters, and the British High Commission Dhaka cannot intervene in these matters. Consular staff are not legally trained and cannot, therefore, offer legal advice. If you are unable to reach an amicable solution to the situation, you may wish to consider taking legal advice and engaging鈥痶o act on your behalf. It may be necessary to take legal action through the courts in order to achieve a lasting resolution to the disagreement.听

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office or the British High Commission is unable investigate a crime or offer protection to British nationals travelling to Bangladesh as these are the responsibilities of the local authorities. In case of any emergency, you can dial the Bangladesh National Emergency Helpline - 999 from your mobile/telephone for any assistance whilst in Bangladesh.听

Check our鈥Travel Advice for Bangladesh鈥痜or additional information.

Driving in Bangladesh听

See guidance on driving abroad.

If you鈥檙e asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver鈥檚 licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).

Read guidance for travelling by road in Bangladesh.听

Read this guidance if you wish to take your vehicle with you.

Holders of UK driving licences will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Bangladesh. An IDP is valid for 12 months following arrival in the country. The IDP must be accompanied by your UK driving licence. After 12 months you will need to obtain a Bangladeshi driving licence issued by the鈥.听

Bangladesh drives on the left. Road conditions and driving standards in Bangladesh can be challenging. Vehicles are often in poor condition and can be found driving on the wrong side of the road, reversing on main roads, not signalling their intentions and making U-turns unexpectedly. Many drivers are unlicensed and uninsured. Many roads in both urban and rural areas are in extremely poor condition. Care and patience is required to navigate safely.听

The number of vehicles on the roads is increasing and heavy congestion is common. Lack of discipline and the numerous cycle-rickshaws plying the streets cause much of the chaos on Bangladesh roads.听

At the scene of an accident, crowds can gather quickly and tempers can fray, potentially leading to violent confrontation, even it is not your fault. If you are involved in an accident, call the police immediately and remain calm.听

Disabled drivers听

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Bangladesh, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Voting听

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:听

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership听

Births听

If your child is born in Bangladesh you should register the birth with the local authorities.听 You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.听听听

If your child has British nationality,鈥痽ou do not need to register the birth with the UK鈥痑uthorities to apply for a British passport.听听

Deaths听

听If someone dies in Bangladesh read our guidance on:听

Marriage and civil partnership听

Find out鈥how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Pets听

If you鈥檙e moving to Bangladesh with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:听

To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you鈥檙e travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.听

Read guidance on:听

Emergencies听

Dial the Bangladesh Emergency Helpline 999 for the police, ambulance, or fire brigade.听听

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Bangladesh, read the guidance on what to do鈥痑nd where to get support鈥痠n cases of rape and sexual鈥痑ssault.听 See also:听听

If you鈥檙e a victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis,鈥痗ontact the British High Commission in Dhaka

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.听

Returning to the UK听

Read the guidance on鈥returning to the鈥疷K鈥痯ermanently鈥痺hich includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.听

Useful information听

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide鈥痵ets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can support you if you get into difficulty.

Updates to this page

Published 18 November 2013
Last updated 23 June 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated the guidance overall.

  2. Removed coronavirus section.

  3. Updated the page with latest document.

  4. Whole pages updated with the new information.

  5. Edited, deleted some information

  6. Minor edited

  7. Fixed addresses.

  8. Added information for British nationals hospitalised or in need of medical help in Bangladesh.

  9. Added information for British nationals hospitalised or in need of medical help in Bangladesh.

  10. Changed titled

  11. Added new guidance - Advisory Note for Abandoned Families.

  12. I have added COVIOD-19 travel guidance.

  13. Added new sections: Voting Births, Deaths Updated sections: Health, Property disputes & Security

  14. Updated the document with new information.

  15. Updated living in Bangladesh document

  16. Attached updated document

  17. First published.

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