The visa on arrival facility in Bangladesh remains suspended for citizens of all countries except for the investors and businesspersons due to the influx of COVID-19. Therefore, the government says, anyone who wishes to visit Bangladesh he/she has to obtain a visa before travel.  Read: India extends visa validity of stranded foreigners till Aug 31 Visa can be obtained through applications at Bangladesh Missions abroad. Any change in this regard will be notified accordingly.

The government has decided to discourage expatriate Bangladeshis from returning home during lockdown, unless facing an emergency.   Bangladesh Missions abroad are being engaged to disseminate the message among expat communities in various countries.   To convey the message to expatriates, support from the social media platforms, Bangladesh Missions’ websites and community leaders will be taken. However, the expatriates will be able to return to home from abroad in case there is any emergency need with a condition of mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine.  Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17 Each of the returnees will have to show Covid-19 negative certificate which is a must and the Bangladesh Missions abroad will prepare the list of those who need to come to Bangladesh on an emergency need. The Armed Forces Division will take adequate preparations for institutional quarantine facilities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet. The decisions were taken at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday chaired by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. Health Minister, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and senior officials of the ministries concerned attended.  The government has decided to allow airlines including Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate special flights to five countries - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore from April 17 in an effort to help stranded Bangladeshi expatriate workers can join their workplaces. Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers Among the expatriate Bangladeshi workers who want to go to these five countries having BMET clearance issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, they will be given priority in going abroad. However, in the case of these countries, those who have a visit visa, but do not have BMET clearance, will not get priority in going abroad. Bangladeshis who will go to the UAE for work with a visit visa can get a BMET clearance. During the lockdown, those who wish to travel to countries other than the five mentioned countries in case of emergency will be able to travel on special flights as transit-passengers subject to clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the officials at the labour wing of Bangladesh missions abroad to serve the expatriates with commitment, dedication and honesty refraining from any bad things like collecting money that might be disgraceful for the country and all.

Bangladesh Missions abroad observed the National Mourning Day in a befitting manner on Saturday. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said stern action will be taken against allegations of negligence, unwillingness to provide services and disrespectful behaviour by anybody with the service seekers in Bangladesh missions abroad.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday urged the heads of Bangladesh Missions abroad to play a proactive role to address the problems of Bangladeshi workers in various countries including in the Middle East amid the coronavirus pandemic.