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Visa-free Eid Vacation for Bangladeshis: 10 Best Affordable Overseas Destinations
This year Bangladeshis are looking forward to a long Eid vacation. And a long vacation calls for a perfect getaway plan. What if we told you that you could plan an Eid vacation in the serene mountains of Bhutan or Nepal or the tropical paradise in the Caribbean, that too visa-free? Sounds too good to be true? Well, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Visa-free Eid Vacation Destinations for Bangladeshis
Bangladeshi passport currently allows visa-free entry to 19 countries, visa on arrival in 16 countries, and electronic travel authorization in 2 countries. We’ve picked 10 such destinations to plan your Eid vacation.
Visa Free Entry
Bhutan
The “land of the thunder dragon,” Bhutan has been a long-term key ally for Bangladesh. With its breathtaking valleys, mountains, and gorges, Bhutan can be a perfect destination to spend your Eid vacation.
Bhutan provides visa-free entry to Bangladeshi passport holders. Meaning you won’t need anything other than your ticket to enter the country.
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Start your itinerary at Paro Valley where the iconic Paro Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest is situated. Consider visiting Punakha Valley, Bumthang Valley, Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, and Phobjikha Valley based on your days.
While in Bhutan, don’t forget to try iconic local cuisines like Ema Datshi, dumplings, Hoentoe, and Jasha Maroo.
There are several public transports available in the country alongside guided tours. Accommodation in hotels will cost anywhere between 20 to 300 USD or 2195 to 32395 BDT per night (1 USD = 109 BDT). Read our Bhutan travel guide for more detailed information.
Bahamas
Now let’s fly off to the Caribbean in the beautiful tropical archipelago of the Bahamas. The country offers visa-free travel to Bangladeshi passport holders similar to Bhutan.
The must-visit places in the Bahamas include Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Harbour Island, And Andros Island.
Bahamas is all about seafood delicacies. The local cuisines include conch salad, Bahamian rock lobster, fish stew, and Johnny cake. Getting around the archipelago is relatively easy with taxis and rental cars. The cost of accommodation can range between 100 to 400+ USD or 10977 to 43907 BDT per night. For more information check out the detailed Bahamas travel guide.
Dominica
Another great vacation option in the Caribbean for Bangladeshis is Dominica, more commonly known as the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’.
Some of the exciting places to visit in Dominica are the Emerald Pool, Boiling Lake, Morne Diablotin National Park, Champagne Reef, and Trafalgar Falls.
While on the island, relish your taste buds with Callaloo Soup, Lambi, Breadfruit, Bouyon, and Mountain Chicken.
Traveling around Dominica is the same as the Bahamas; taxis and car rental are your best options. Though there are several public buses available in limited routes. Accommodation per night would cost anywhere between 50 to 200+ USD or 5488 to 21958 BDT.
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Fiji
Fiji is another stunning destination located in the South Pacific. The archipelago is known for its white sand beaches, coral reefs, and thriving cultural heritage.
A trip to Fiji should start at the turquoise water and white beaches of the Mamanuca Islands. From there the tourists can go island hopping in Yasawa and Denarau Island. Suva, the capital city of Fiji is a thriving location holding onto its colonial heritage.
Must-eat food items in Fiji include Kokoda, Rourou, and Palusami. And if you’re looking for some Bangladeshi twist, try their lamb curry which is inspired by the South Asian Mutton Karahi.
Ferries, inter-island flights, and rental cars are your best options for travel. Accommodation will cost anywhere between 50 to 300+ USD or 5488 to 32395 BDT per night.
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Visa on Arrival
Nepal
The small country at the foot of the Himalayas is home to the mighty Everest. Beyond that, there’s a rich cultural heritage and eclectic cuisines to be explored in this mountainous country. Bangladeshi passport holders will get a visa on arrival in Nepal.
The best places to visit in Nepal include Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and the Everest region. If you’re looking for some spiritual upliftment, visit Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for being the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Bangladeshis would feel right at home in Nepal as their staple food is Dal Bhat. Besides, there are Momos, Thukpa, Sel Roti, and Dhido.
There are several public and tourist buses available along with taxis for transportation. Accommodation per night should cost between 5 to 50+ USD or 548 to 5488 BDT.
Read more: 10 Overseas Places Bangladeshis Can Visit Under BDT 10,000
Foreign Minister requests visiting Irish Minister to ease the visa process
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has invited Irish investment in Bangladesh, particularly in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and IT sectors.
He also thanked Ireland for hosting a few thousand Bangladeshis and requested the Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney to ease the visa process to enable more Bangladeshi students and IT professionals to pursue higher studies and work in Ireland.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Irish Minister for visiting Bangladesh to further strengthen Bangladesh-Ireland bilateral relations.
He suggested further enhancement of bilateral trade in goods and services through new initiatives and sought Ireland’s support for EU’s EBA trade preferences to Bangladesh until 2032 and GSP+ benefits beyond 2032.
Minister Simon Coveney met with the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 18.
Foreign Minister requests visiting Irish Minister to ease the visa process
The Irish Minister congratulated the Foreign Minister on his new appointment.
Highly praising Bangladesh’s sustained high economic growth, he suggested exchange of visits of delegations with special focus on bilateral trade and collaboration in the areas of technology, pharmaceuticals and energy.
He also assured Irish support in favour of Bangladesh’s appeal for extension of EBA facilities until 2032 and GSP+ facilities beyond 2032.
Referring to the migrant-friendly policy of the Irish government, the Irish Minister welcomed more Bangladeshi students and professionals to Ireland.
The Irish Minister hoped for an early solution of the Rohingya crisis and added that an additional Euro 1.5 million humanitarian assistance would be provided to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
The two ministers shared their views on the war in Gaza and expressed deep concern over the killing of people, particularly women and children.
They agreed that the two-state solution can bring lasting peace in the region.
Earlier, the Irish Minister officially opened Ireland’s first Honorary Consulate in Dhaka, which is seen as an “important milestone” in the relations between Bangladesh and Ireland.
In its desire to further expand the bilateral relations with Dhaka, Ireland has recently appointed Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan as its Honorary Consul in Bangladesh.
Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, and Masud Jamil Khan, among others, were present during the opening ceremony.
The Irish Minister arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.
FM thanks Ireland for opening its Honorary Consulate in Dhaka
On the occasion of St Patrick’s Day, the National Day of Ireland and official opening of the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Bangladesh, Masud Jamil Khan and Kate Khan hosted an Iftar-dinner at a Dhaka hotel on Monday.
The Irish Minister, Irish Ambassador to India, former Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, business leaders and journalists were present at the event.
A certain country claims to be friend of Bangladesh, but imposes visa curbs: Chinese Ambassador
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday (October 11, 2023) said a certain foreign country claiming to be friend of Bangladesh is imposing unilateral visa restrictions on Bangladeshi people.
Without naming the country the ambassador said they keep talking about human rights, democracy and free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
Read: China to provide large-scale anti-dengue aid in a few days: Ambassador Yao
His comments came amid controversy centering the US decision to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals. Washington, however, said it will not release the names or numbers of people in Bangladesh subject to the visa restrictions.
Ambassador Yao reiterated that China does not meddle with the internal affairs pf other countries.
“China never intervenes in internal affairs of other countries. Instead, we want to help Bangladesh make greater economic success and improve the livelihood of local people,” he told reporters after attending a programme, noting that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
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“Who is the genuine friend of Bangladesh? The people have the say?” said the Chinese ambassador.
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh handed over 700 sets of dengue kits to Enam Medical College and Hospital, which would meet the demand of tests for over 18,000 people.
Ambassador Yao said that President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government are "deeply concerned" on the dengue epidemic in Bangladesh and announced that China will provide 25 million RMB (USD 3.5 million) anti-dengue aid to Bangladesh.
This marks only a starting point, and there will be more anti-dengue aid in larger scale coming from China in a few days, said the ambassador.
"With our joint effort in mitigating the current dengue surge, the bond of friendship between the two countries and peoples would be further enhanced," said the ambassador.
As a time-tested friend and strategic partner of Bangladesh, the envoy said, China is committed to working with Dhaka in addressing public health challenges, which was manifested by their joint fight against the Covid-19 pandemic over the past three years.
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State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Md. Enamur Rahman, and Chief Executive Officer of Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Anawarul Quader Nazim, among others, were present.
‘A lie’: French ambassador dismisses claim of journalists’ visa requests being denied
French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy has dismissed the claim of a section that ten senior journalists’ visa requests have been refused.
The ambassador described the claim as a "lie and disinformation."
French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy visits Cosmos Atelier 71
“Sport is essential in life. Some play football, some tennis, others badminton or squash. @ABhuttow’s daily sport is lie and #Disinformation. His latest record can be watched hereunder,” the French ambassador replied to a comment on X (formerly Twitter).
An individual named Abdur Rab Bhuttow claimed that 10 “pro-government” senior journalists were refused visa to travel to France.
Boosting cooperation with Bangladesh on political, economic, climate fronts priorities for France: Ambassador Marie Masdupuy
Talking to UNB, the French ambassador said this is “totally false.”
The journalists did not apply in time, for visa, for an event they were planning to attend, said an official.
They will get their visas, though the event will already have taken place, said the official.
US visa restrictions: State Dept spokesperson once again refrains from mentioning media
The United States has reiterated that it does not support any particular party and does not want to influence the outcome of the election in Bangladesh.
The US only wants to ensure that the people of Bangladesh can freely choose their leaders.
“So, let me restate or state in slightly different language what I said last week, which is the United States wants what the Bangladeshis themselves want: free and fair elections that are conducted in a peaceful manner,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular media briefing in Washington on October 2.
He, however, once again refrained from mentioning visa restrictions on media. US Ambassador in Dhaka, Peter Haas, during a recent TV interview had mentioned possible visa restrictions on media.
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During the US State Department briefing, a questioner said that radical groups that advocate “Taliban-style rule” in Bangladesh along with opposition leaders, have hailed the US ambassador’s remark on including media under the visa restrictions, and have already threatened media persons, circulating a list of journalists who have been critical of radical views.
On the other hand, rights activists, anti-war crimes campaigners, editors, writers, minority community leaders found the statement by the US ambassador on possible visa curbs on media to be an “affront to freedom of press” that has been pivotal to the fight against terror, the questioner added.
He asked the State Department spokesperson whether the US supports the statement of the ambassador and denies the concerns raised by such a large group of liberals.
Miller did not give a direct response, but said that the government, political parties, civil society, and the media in Bangladesh have all expressed their desire that the upcoming national election be free and fair and conducted in a peaceful manner – “as we want.”
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“The visa restriction policy that we’ve announced supports this objective and the desire of the people of Bangladesh to freely choose their leaders,” he said.
US visa restrictions: State Dept spokesperson refrains from mentioning media
Though US Ambassador Peter Haas mentioned inclusion of media in the visa restriction policy for Bangladesh, the United States Department of State refrained from mentioning media.
“I will say that, as we noted when we announced these new visa restrictions on Friday, they include – they include both members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular media briefing on September 25.
He also said when the US Secretary of State announced the new visa policy in May, the purpose was not to take a side, but to ensure or to support free, fair, and peaceful national election in Bangladesh.
Chief Justice rails against US visa policy on last working day
Responding to a question specifically on the inclusion of media in the visa restrictions, the State Department spokesperson said: “I think what we have said, and we – so we have not announced because visa records are confidential – we have not announced the specific members or the specific individuals to which this will apply, but it made clear that they will apply to members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition.”
Clarifying the issue after US Ambassador Peter Haas’ remarks, the US Embassy in a Facebook post on Monday said, “We are applying the [visa restriction] policy in a balanced way against anyone [undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh] – regardless of being pro-government, opposition party, members of law enforcement agencies, members of the judiciary, or media persons.”
Image of police won’t be affected due to US Visa policy: IGP
US Embassy Spokesperson Bryan Schiller said the visa restriction policy can be applied to anyone “found to be undermining” democratic elections in Bangladesh.
“This could include vote rigging, intimidating voters, use of violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly, and the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from participating in the electoral process or expressing their views,” he told UNB while responding to a question.
Responding to a question on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release and treatment abroad, US State Department Spokesperson Miller said, “I just don’t have any comment on that.”
What could be the possible reasons to apply US visa restrictions against someone?
What could be the possible reasons to apply US visa restrictions against someone?
The United States has said its visa restriction policy can be applied to anyone "found to be undermining" democratic elections in Bangladesh.
“This could include vote rigging, intimidating voters, use of violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly, and the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from participating in the electoral process or expressing their views,” US Embassy Spokesperson Bryan Schiller told UNB while responding to a question.
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He came up with the remark when asked whether journalists may also come under visa restrictions.
Clarifying the issue further, the US Embassy in Facebook post said, “We are applying the [visa restriction] policy in a balanced way against anyone [undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh] - regardless of being pro-government, opposition party, members of law enforcement agencies, members of the judiciary, or media persons.”
The embassy spokesperson said the US Department of State relies on extensive, well-resourced, and fact-checked case-by-case review of credible information about those undermining the democratic process in Bangladesh to determine whether to apply visa restrictions.
Read: Haas raises eyebrows by saying members of media may face visa restrictions
US announces in-person interview waivers for certain visa applicants throughout 2023
The United States has said it will not release the names or numbers of people in Bangladesh subjected to the visa restrictions.
"Visa records are confidential under US law," US Embassy Spokesperson Bryan Schiller told UNB earlier.
But, he said, the US government has looked very closely at incidents since they announced this policy.
"After a careful review of the evidence, we have imposed visa restrictions on members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition,” said Bryan Schiller.
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In May this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new visa policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) (“3C”) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.
Under this policy, the United States will restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
The United States notified the Bangladesh government of this decision on May 3, 2023.
The Department of State on Friday said they are taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
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"Our actions today reflect the continued commitment of the United States to supporting Bangladesh’s goal of peacefully holding free and fair national elections, and to support those seeking to advance democracy globally," said its Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement.
These individuals include members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition, he said.
"The United States is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner," Miller said.
These persons and members of their immediate family may be found ineligible for entry into the United States.
Additional persons found to have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh may also be found ineligible for US visas under this policy in the future, according to the US Department of State.
This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services, Miller said.
India suspends visa services for Canadians amid diplomatic row
India has suspended issuance of visas to Canadian citizens "till further notice.”
BLS International — a private service provider hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications — published a notice on its website saying the visa services have been suspended till further notice “due to operational reasons,” reports NDTV.
Also read: How India’s relations with Canada hit rock bottom
This comes as India and Canada are locked in a diplomatic row over Ottawa's claim that it has "credible” evidence linking New Delhi to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist.
Also read: India asks citizens to be careful if traveling to Canada as rift widens over Sikh leader’s death
The Indian foreign ministry has rejected the allegation as "absurd" and "motivated".
It is not yet clear if the suspension of visas is linked to that row, according to NDTV.
Also read: Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Sikh activist whose killing has divided Canada and India?
Bangladeshis can perform Umrah with transit visa: Saudi Hajj Minister
Bangladeshi passengers on stopovers will be able to perform Umrah with transit visa, said Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Ar-Rabiah on Wednesday (August 23, 2023).
He disclosed the information while talking to reporters after a meeting with State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan at the Secretariat in the afternoon.
Read: Biman's last hajj flight arrives in Dhaka with 358 pilgrims
Minister Md Faridul Haque said Bangladeshis will be allowed to perform Umrah even in transit. “Passengers will avail this benefit only if they use Saudi carriers. The transit visa will be valid for four days.”
Read: KSA to allow over 127,000 Bangladeshis to perform hajj in 2024
Besides, the validity of Umrah visa has been extended from 1 month to 3 months. Bangladeshi passengers can also travel the country on this visa, he added.
The state minister also said that discussions were held on increasing the Hajj quota and reducing the Hajj cost for Bangladeshis.
Read: 117 Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia till July 27: Ministry
US announces visa restrictions on Chinese officials over ‘forcible assimilation’ of Tibetan children
The United States has announced visa restrictions on Chinese officials for their alleged involvement in “forcible assimilation of more than one million Tibetan children” in government-run boarding schools.
The US state department made the announcement on Tuesday without providing any details or naming any officials.
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“These coercive policies (forcible assimilation) seek to eliminate Tibet’s distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among younger generations of Tibetans,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
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He urged the Chinese government to cease “repressive assimilation policies”, both in Tibet and other parts of the country.
“We will continue to work with our allies and partners to highlight these actions and promote accountability,” Secretary of State Blinken said.