3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Violent crime such as armed robbery occurs in Dhaka and Chittagong. Security threats against foreigners have occurred in various areas, including Chittagong, Sylhet, Feni and Khulna. Exercise caution when travelling outside urban areas. Do not show signs of affluence and do not wear jewellery in public. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and mugging are common, especially in areas frequented by tourists and when travelling by rickshaw or baby taxi (motorized pedicabs). Unaccompanied women face the highest risk. Physical and verbal harassment of women can be a problem.
Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, Her Own Way: Advice for the Woman Traveller, specifically targeted at female travellers. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely.
Do not walk alone after dark. Victims of crime should contact the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka for assistance before filing a police report. Women should not go to police stations alone.
Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau.
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4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are poor. Road travel is dangerous and should be avoided after dark. Ferries and long-distance buses on major roads between towns have been targeted by gangs of thieves. Exercise caution when using these means of transportation. Ferry disasters have accentuated the poor conditions and overcrowding of this mode of transportation.
Rail travel is slow and derailments occur. Ensure your compartment is locked when travelling at night.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
Bangladesh is located in an active seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka in the event of an emergency.
The monsoon season extends from June to October. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
See our Current Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
There are reports of female Canadian citizens being forced into marriage without their prior knowledge or consent. Parents, relatives and the community may use relentless pressure and emotional blackmail, threatening behaviour, abduction, imprisonment and physical violence to coerce young people to enter into marriage. While both men and women experience forced marriages, it is a form of violence most commonly perpetrated against women. They have been unable to return to Canada, and their passports and money have been retained by family members. Canada opposes the practice of forced marriage and urges all countries to respect their international human rights obligations relating to free and full consent to marriage. Forced marriage constitutes a human rights violation under several legal instruments, including international human rights law, to which Canada is a signatory.
If you are in Canada and you believe that you are being forced to travel overseas or to marry, you should contact provincial social welfare authorities and your local police. You may also contact the Emergency Operations Centre (tel.: 1 800 267-6788) or the nearest Canadian government office (see Section 7 below).
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can face life imprisonment or a death sentence.
Homosexuality is illegal.
Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in the country's customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. You should dress conservatively in public and women should cover their shoulders and legs. During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors should refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on or about September 24, 2006.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Bangladesh - DHAKA, High Commission of Canada
Address: House 16/A, Road 48, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Postal Address: P.O. Box 569, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel.: 880 (2) 988-7091 through 988-7097
Fax: 880 (2) 882-3043
E-mail: dhaka@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/dhaka
For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Bangladesh and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on March 23, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the People's Republic of Bangladesh and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Bangladesh. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa and an onward or return ticket.
Visas are no longer granted upon arrival. Visas must be obtained from a Bangladeshi diplomatic office prior to travel. Non-compliance may result in passports and airline tickets being confiscated and immediate deportation.
There is an airport departure tax which is normally included in the price of the plane ticket. Please check with your air carrier. There is no fee for children under five years of age.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Foreigners who have been in Bangladesh for more than a 90-day period or for more than 90 days in a calendar year are required to produce an income tax certificate/exemption available from the National Board of Revenue (www.nbr-bd.org/). Details are also available from the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka. Failure to produce this certificate can delay departure from Bangladesh.
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Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the taka. Credit cards are not widely accepted. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks and at the airport in Dhaka. U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are recommended.
Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Bangladesh (capital: Dhaka) is located in South Asia, bordering India, Burma (Myanmar), and the Bay of Bengal. The official language is Bangla. English is spoken in certain areas of Dhaka, but less frequently in other cities and rural areas. Tourist facilities are minimal. The work week is from Saturday to Thursday.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Water-borne diseases and respiratory infections increase during monsoon season (June to October), particularly in the flood zone. During the flooding a third of the territory is seriously flooded every year.
You are strongly encouraged to boil your water before drinking.
Medical facilities are poor. Medical evacuations to Bangkok or Singapore are often required for serious conditions. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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