Visitor visa
Bangladeshis need a visitor visa — not an ETA
Not on Appendix ETA — Standard Visitor visa
Bangladesh is not an ETA nationality. Visiting London means a Standard Visitor visa on GOV.UK, not the £20 ETA product. Biman and Gulf connections still require the visa to be in place before you fly. If you hold British citizenship as well, use the British passport. Student or Skilled Worker visas are separate applications. An ETA confirmation PDF from a cousin in the UAE is not transferable. Visa centre biometrics in Dhaka are part of the visitor-visa process — there is no app-only shortcut equivalent to the US/Gulf ETA.
Standard Visitor visa on GOV.UK →
Bangladeshi travel facts
| Passport | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | Not on Appendix ETA — Standard Visitor visa |
| What you need | Standard Visitor visa |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | Usually a visa or transit visa — check GOV.UK |
Mistakes bangladeshis make
- Dhaka Facebook ads for ‘UK ETA 20 pound’ aimed at Bangladeshi passports.
- Arriving in the UK on a visa waiver story. There is no waiver for this nationality.
London notes for Bangladeshi arrivals
Many Bangladeshi visitors stay in Tower Hamlets or Newham. Those are still the UK: a visitor visa does not allow restaurant work, cash-in-hand or otherwise. TfL contactless from Heathrow works the same as for any visitor.
FAQs
- Why can Malaysians get an ETA but Bangladeshis cannot?
- The list is set in the Immigration Rules by nationality, not by religion or region.
- How do I apply?
- Standard Visitor visa on GOV.UK, then biometrics. Not the UK ETA app.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.