Just Landed in Bangladesh? Your First 7 Days

Mobile data is cheap and 4G covers cities well, though speeds drop and full internet outages happen during load-shedding or political unrest, when the government has previously throttled or cut mobile data. Prepaid is the norm; SIMs require biometric passport registration and foreigners are limited in how many they can hold. Fixed home broadband from providers like Link3, Amber IT or Carnival runs BDT 800-2,000 per month, but a generator or UPS matters as much as bandwidth given the power cuts.

Typical cost: Around BDT 300-600 per month for a bundle with 20-40 GB of data plus call minutes; smaller weekly packs are widely available if you prefer topping up little and often.

Bangladesh is overwhelmingly a cash economy, and mobile financial services like bKash and Nagad are used everywhere for transfers, bill payment and small purchases. Card acceptance is limited to hotels, larger supermarkets (Meena Bazar, Shwapno, Unimart) and chain restaurants in Dhaka and Chattogram, and even then a machine 'not working' is common, so never rely on plastic alone.

Opening an account: Foreigners can open a resident account with a work permit and passport; BRAC Bank, City Bank, Standard Chartered, HSBC and Eastern Bank are the most foreigner-friendly. Non-resident foreign currency accounts (NFCD) are available if you lack local documentation, and there are strict central-bank rules on moving money out of the country, so ask your bank about repatriation before you deposit large sums.

Cash: Cash rules for rickshaws, CNGs, street food, kacha bazaars (wet markets) and small shops. Keep a constant stock of small notes (BDT 10, 20, 50, 100) because breaking a 500 or 1000 note is a daily hassle, and carry coins or small notes for rickshaw fares.

Tipping: Tipping (baksheesh) is common but modest: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% at sit-down restaurants if no service charge is added, and give porters, building guards and delivery riders small amounts. Over-tipping can create awkward expectations, so keep it in line with local norms.

There is no municipal address-registration for foreigners on arrival, and no Anmeldung-style local sign-in as exists in some European countries. What matters instead is your visa and permit status: work-visa holders must obtain a work permit (issued via BIDA for ordinary companies or BEPZA for export processing zones), and long-stay foreigners keep their visa and permit valid through the Department of Immigration and Passports. Registering with your home embassy is strongly advised for safety and consular support, but it is a recommendation, not a legal requirement. Keep your passport, visa and permit together and carry copies, as spot checks and paperwork requests are routine.

Where: Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) for visa matters; BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) or BEPZA for work permits; your embassy or high commission for voluntary citizen registration.

Dhaka traffic is notoriously heavy, so short distances routinely take an hour and journeys are best measured in time, not kilometres. Ride-hailing apps, CNG auto-rickshaws (green three-wheelers running on compressed natural gas), cycle rickshaws for short hops and the new elevated MRT metro rail are the practical options. Agree fares in advance for anything not on an app or a working meter, and build large time buffers into anything with a fixed start.

From the airport: From Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), the city centre (Gulshan/Banani) is roughly 8-15 km but 45-90 minutes in traffic, and far longer at peak. Use the airport pre-paid taxi desk (around BDT 600-1,000), or book an Uber or Pathao car. The MRT Line 6 metro now runs from Uttara North through the airport area down to Motijheel, giving a faster, air-conditioned alternative to the road once you are set up with a rapid pass.

Expats cluster in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara (the diplomatic zone) and Dhanmondi, where serviced flats and furnished apartments are available. Deals are usually done through local brokers (dalals) or word of mouth rather than polished listing sites, so lean on colleagues and expat groups. Expect to negotiate hard and to pay the broker a commission, typically around one month's rent.

Typical rent: A furnished two-bedroom flat in Gulshan or Baridhara typically runs BDT 60,000-150,000 per month; an unfurnished flat outside the diplomatic zone, or in Dhanmondi or Uttara, is considerably cheaper at BDT 25,000-60,000. Serviced apartments cost more but bundle in security, cleaning and a generator.

Deposit norm: Landlords commonly ask for an advance of two to three months' rent, and sometimes more for prime expat areas, occasionally a lump-sum advance held for the tenancy. Get every term in writing, clarify who pays for utilities, generator diesel, lift and service charges, and confirm the backup power arrangement, as load-shedding makes a working generator essential.

Public hospitals are overstretched and under-resourced, so expats rely on the better private hospitals in Dhaka such as Evercare Hospital (formerly Apollo), Square Hospital and United Hospital, and Chattogram's larger private clinics. Standards at the top private facilities are decent for routine and mid-level care, but for serious or complex treatment many people travel to Bangkok, Singapore or India, which is why evacuation cover matters.

How to access it: There is no gatekeeping GP system; you walk in or book directly with a specialist or hospital outpatient department. You pay upfront in cash or by card and claim back through insurance, so keep every receipt, prescription and diagnostic report. Pharmacies are on almost every corner and many medicines are sold over the counter, but check expiry dates and buy from reputable chains.

Insurance: Get comprehensive international health insurance that explicitly includes medical evacuation before you arrive, because top-tier local care is limited and evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore is the realistic fallback for a genuine emergency. Confirm the policy covers Bangladesh, note the 24-hour assistance number, and keep a copy on your phone.

• Greet with a warm 'Assalamu alaikum' or a handshake; men should let a woman extend her hand first, and public physical contact between genders is reserved.
• Dress modestly, especially outside expat areas and when visiting mosques, offices or villages; cover shoulders and knees, and women may want a scarf to hand.
• Eat, give and receive items with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean, and remove your shoes before entering homes and mosques.
• Accept tea or food when offered, as hospitality is central to Bangladeshi life; refusing outright can cause offence, so decline gently and with thanks if you must.
• During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect for those fasting.
• Use titles and a little formality with elders and seniors; Bangladeshis value respect for age and position, and rushing straight to business can seem brusque.
• Learn a few Bangla courtesies (dhonnobad for thank you, bhalo achi for 'I'm well'); the effort is warmly received and smooths daily interactions.

• Alcohol is heavily restricted and socially sensitive; it is sold only at licensed venues and to permit holders, so do not carry or offer it casually, and never in public view.
• Photographing government buildings, airports, bridges, ports and military sites can get you into serious trouble; always ask before photographing people, especially women.
• Political demonstrations and hartals (general strikes) can turn disruptive or violent with little notice, so avoid crowds, follow embassy alerts and keep spare supplies at home.
• Discussing politics, religion or the 1971 Liberation War with strangers can be fraught; read the room and listen more than you opine.
• Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and open criticism of religion or the country can cause real offence, so tread carefully.