Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Bangladesh

Bangladesh
People's Republic of Bangladesh

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 60 Months
B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
C-W-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
C-W-211 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 None Two 3 Months
E-2C 12 None Two 3 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 12 Months
G-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-3 None Multiple 12 Months
G-4 None Multiple 36 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
I None Multiple 12 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 12 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 12 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 12 Months
L-2 None Multiple 12 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 12 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 12 Months
R-2 None Multiple 12 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

There is no general document information.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  None, if registered within 45 days of the birth.

  • If registered 45 days-5 years after the birth:  BDT 100
  • If registered 5-10 years after the birth:  BDT 200
  • If registered 10 years or more after the birth:  BDT 500

Document Name:  Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority:  City Corporation, Municipality/Pourashava Office, Union Parishad Office, or Cantonment Board.  Non-residents of Bangladesh can obtain birth certificates from the nearest Bangladesh High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate.

Format:  All birth certificates must be original copies issued on a Bangladesh Govt. Form 3 or 3A and must display a Registrar General’s seal.  Birth certificates are accepted in English or in Bengali with an accompanying notarized English translation.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Each registered Bangladeshi birth certificate must include signatures and seals of at least two officials from the issuing office (one of them is the authorizing official or verifying official and the other one is the birth registrar). 

Where to register:  Bangladeshi citizens can register the birth where he/she was born, or where his/her permanent address is or where he/she lives.

Registration Criteria: Birth certificates that were issued on or after July 2006 must have the 17-digit identification number. Please also note that according to an official notification of the Bangladesh Government, the former version of the birth certificates which do not have the 17-digit identification number, must be submitted to the concerned registry office for re-issuance with the 17-digit identification number. Information can be found at this web site:  br.lgd.gov.bd

Procedure for Obtaining:  Information can be found at this web site:  br.lgd.gov.bd

Certified Copies Available:  Duplicate copies are available from the issuing authority.

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  More information can be found at this web site:  br.lgd.gov.bd

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: None, if registered within 45 days of the death.

  • If registered 45 days-5 years after the death: BDT 100
  • If registered 5-10 years after the death: BDT 200
  • If registered 10 years or more after the death: BDT 500

Document Name: Death Certificate

Issuing Authority: City Corporation, Municipality/Pourashava Office, Union Parishad Office, or Cantonment Board. Non-residents of Bangladesh can obtain birth certificates from the nearest Bangladesh High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate.

Format: All death certificates must be original copies and must display a Registrar General seal. Death certificates are accepted in English or in Bengali with an accompanying notarized English translation.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority is based on where the applicant lives.

Registration Criteria: Information can be found at this web-site:  br.lgd.gov.bd

Procedure for Obtaining: Information can be found at this web-site:  br.lgd.gov.bd

Certified Copies Available: Duplicate copies are available from the issuing authority.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Death certificates that were issued on or after July 2006 must have the 17 digit identification numbers. Death certificates that were issued before this date do not have the 17 digit number, and new certificates issued for deaths occurring prior to July 2006 also will not contain a 17 digit number.  More information can be found at this web-site: br.lgd.gov.bd

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage

Available

Fees:

  • For Muslims: Marriage registration fees are calculated based on the amount of the dower (price paid by the groom’s family to the bride’s family).

    • For each BDT 1,000 of dower: BDT 12.50
    • For each BDT 100,000 of dower: BDT 1,250
    • For dowers over BDT 400,000: BDT 100 for each subsequent BDT 100,000

      • Examples:
        • For a dower of BDT 100,000: BDT 1,250
        • For a dower of BDT 400,000: BDT 5,000
        • For a dower of BDT 500,000: BDT 5,100
           
  • For Christians/Hindus/Buddhists: There are no fees.

Document Name:

  • For Muslims: Nikah Nama

  • For Christians/Hindus/Buddhists: Marriage Certificate

Issuing Authority:  

  • For Muslims: Muslim Marriage Registrar’s Office (“Kazi” Office)

  • For Christians/Hindus/Buddhists: Church/Temple Priest or Marriage Registrar’s Office

Special Seal(s)/Color/Format:

  • For Muslims: Nikah Namas are usually printed on a Bangladesh government-issued blue form (Form 1601) that includes information concerning the identity of the bride and groom as well as the identity of the marriage registrar (“kazi”). Nikah Namas are accepted in English or in Bengali with an accompanying notarized English translation.

  • For Christians/Hindus/Buddhists: The format for these documents may vary, but they must contain information regarding the wedding ceremony and the identities of the bride, groom, and person registering the marriage.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:

  • For Muslims: Muslim Marriage Registrar (“Kazi”)

  • For Christians/Hindus/Buddhists: Church/Temple Priest or Marriage Registrar

Registration Criteria:

  • For Muslims: The bride and groom must contact the kazi office where they solemnized their marriage and must record the marriage in that office’s registry book.  They will receive a receipt with which they can then obtain copies of their Nikah Nama (see below).

    • If any person other than a kazi solemnizes a marriage, the bride and groom or their families must report the marriage to the appropriate kazi office within 30 days from the date of marriage.
       
  • For Hindus: The Hindu Marriage (Registry) Act of 2013 requires that the bride and groom register their marriage at a government-appointed marriage registrar’s office.
  • For Christians: The Christian Marriage Act of 1872 requires that a Church or licensed minister, Church of Scotland clergyman, marriage registrar, or other licensed authority solemnize a Christian marriage.

  • For parties of differing religious backgrounds: As per the Special Marriage Act-III of 1872, the bride and groom must contact a marriage registrar and obtain a marriage certificate compliant with the Special Marriage Act.

Procedure for Obtaining:  

  • For Muslims: The bride and groom can obtain a Nikah Nama within one week of their marriage by presenting their registration receipt at the kazi office with which they solemnized their marriage.  In urgent cases, the kazi office can issue the form within 24 hours. 

  • For all other religions: The Bangladesh government does not have specific instructions for other religions.  Applicants should contact the priest of the church/temple where the marriage occurred.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None
 

Divorce

Available  for Muslims and Christians

Fees:

  • For Muslims: BDT 3,500

  • For Christians: Fees may vary based on divorce procedures.

Document Name:

  • For Muslims: Talaknama

  • For Christians: Divorce Decree

Issuing Authority:

  • For Muslims: Muslim Marriage Registrar’s Office (“Kazi” Office)

  • For Christians: Family Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:

  • For Muslims: Talaknamas are usually printed on a Bangladesh-government issued blue form (Form 1605) with information concerning the identities of the divorcing parties as well as the identity of the marriage registrar (“kazi”). The Talaknama must include information about the type of divorce (B Talak – husband initiating the divorce, C Talak – mutual agreement to divorce, or D Talak – wife initiating the divorce), date of initiation of divorce proceedings, and date of divorce registration with the kazi office.

    • According to Bangladeshi law, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period between the initiation of divorce proceedings and the registration of the divorce with the kazi office.
       
  • For Christians: The format for these documents may vary but must include date of divorce registration and information about the identities of the bride, groom, and person registering the divorce.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:

  • For Muslims: Marriage and Divorce Registrar (“Kazi”)

  • For Christians: Senior Assistant Judge

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • For Muslims: The bride or groom must pursue divorce proceedings with the kazi office.

  • For Christians: The Divorce Act of 1869 confers matrimonial jurisdiction to certain courts and permits divorce of Christians for specific grounds.  Applications for divorce in these cases can be made to the High Court.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  None

Comments: There is no legal mechanism for Hindus or Buddhists to divorce in Bangladesh. However, Hindu or Buddhist applicants may obtain a divorce decree from a country where Hindu or Buddhist divorces are recognized.

Adoption Certificates

Unavailable

Comments:  Bangladesh is not a party to Hague Adoption Convention.  Adoption is not permitted in Bangladesh – Bangladeshi citizens may only obtain legal guardianship in certain circumstances. Legal guardianships that are not completed in accordance with Bangladeshi law cannot form the basis for a U.S. immigrant visa petition to finalize adoption in the United States.

Identity Card

Available

Fees:  There are no fees.

Document Name:  National ID Card

Issuing Authority:  Election Commission Bangladesh, Government of Bangladesh

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  More information can be found at this web-site: nidw.gov.bd/

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Available

Fees: BDT 500

Document Name: Police Clearance Certificate

Issuing Authority: The police station covering the area in which the applicant resides

Format: Police clearance certificates are issued in English and must include information about the identity of the subject, signatures from the officer-in-charge and police superintendent, the police station seal, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seal.

Procedure for Obtaining: Information can be found at this web-site:  police.gov.bd

Foreign citizens living in Bangladesh can obtain a police clearance certificate from Bangladesh by following the application procedures at the above link. Foreign citizens who previously resided in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi citizens living outside Bangladesh can request a police clearance certificate through the nearest Bangladesh High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate or by authorizing a third party to obtain a police clearance certificate locally on their behalf.

Exceptions: None

Comments: More information can be found at this web-site: police.gov.bd

 

Court/Prison Records

Unavailable

Comments: Available only upon request from Embassy Dhaka to the Inspector General of Prisons in the district where the prison is located.  Contact Embassy Dhaka for additional information.

Military Records

Unavailable.

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available: Regular, diplomatic, and official passports

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Embassy Dhaka can print non-immigrant visas in regular, official, or diplomatic passports but can print immigrant visas only in regular passports. More information can be found at this web-site: passport.gov.bd/

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title:  Visas Chief

Address: 

U.S. Embassy Dhaka, Diplomatic Enclave
Madani Avenue
Baridhara, Dhaka-1212

Phone Number: (880) (2) 55662000

Visa Services: dhakavisasupport@state.gov

Comments / Additional Information: None

Visa Services

Immigrant Visas

Non Immigrant Visas

 

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.