UK Visa from Bangladesh: Immigration to UK

Immigrate to the UK from Bangladesh

The United Kingdom provides vast working and living opportunities for skilled workers, families, investors and more. With a historic culture and natural landscapes, there are many options for Bangladeshi’s.

Bangladeshi’s are required to get a visa to enter or visit the United Kingdom, regardless of the duration of your planned stay. There are varying visa option to suit your situation, as well as being open to dependent members of your family.

For instance, Bangladeshi’s wishing to visit the UK for a short stay such as to get married in the UK, or temporary work visas you have set up will require a different visa and research than longer stays for things like accepting a more permanent job, wanting to become a British citizen, etc.

A popular option among many foreign nationals looking to come to the UK is a standard visitor visa, with high success rates and providing a suitable short length stay option. However, a longer duration visa can be tricky to navigate with many legal implications and immigration policies, it can be difficult to know which visa is right for you as a Bangladeshi.

Types of UK Visas from Bangladesh

The types of short term Visitor Visa available to Bangladeshi’s include the following:

• Business Visitor
• Tourist Visa
• Child Visitor Visa
• Student Visitor Visa

The types of Family visa available to Bangladeshi’s wishing to travel as a family unit include the following:

• A Spouse Visa
• A Family Visa
• A Fiancé Visa
• Unmarried Partner Visa
• Civil Partnership Visa

The types of Work or Study visa for Bangladeshi’s immigrating to the UK include the following:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Health and Care Worker Visa
• Temporary Worker Visa
• Religious Worker Visa
• Charity Worker Visa
• High Potential Individual Visa
• Student visa
• Graduate Visa
• Child Student visa

UK Visit visa from Bangladesh

If you are a Bangladeshi citizen planning on a short trip to the UK, it is likely that you will require a UK Visitor visa. This visa type generally allows stays of up to 6 months and can be used for a number of purposes, including: 

• Tourism 
• Visiting family and friends based in the UK 
• Volunteering 
• Transit to a different country 
• Certain business activities, such as attending a job interview or work meeting 
• Certain paid engagements (e.g. giving a lecture at a university) 

However, with the exception of certain limited paid engagements (as mentioned above), you will not be permitted to work during your trip, either for a company or in a self-employed capacity. You will also not be eligible to claim welfare benefits or to live in the UK via regular Standard Visitor trips. The Visitor visa also does not provide a direct route to UK citizenship. 

If your original Visitor visa granted you a stay of less than 6 months, you may be able to extend your visa. However, stays of beyond 6 months are not possible on the Standard Visitor visa, except under certain limited circumstances (such as receiving medical treatment). 

UK Family visas from Bangladesh

The UK offers a number of different Family visas. If you are a Bangladeshi citizen looking to join a close family member in the UK, this could be the right route for you. 

You may be eligible for the Family visa if you have a family member in one of the following categories: 

• Partner or spouse 
• Fiance 
• Child 
• Parent 
• Relative on whom you are dependant

The exact visa which is right for you will depend on the particular familial relationship in question. 

In general, the family member who you are joining in the UK will need to fall into one of the following categories: 

• British or Irish citizen 
• UK permanent resident
• EU pre settled status 
• Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa holder 
• Protection status (e.g. refugee status or humanitarian protection 
• Stateless status which permits them to remain in the UK 

In the case of the Child visa, you will need to live with your parents (unless living away from home to receive full-time education) and be neither married nor in a civil partnership. 

In the case of the Parent visa, your child will generally need to be under 18 years old, live with you full-time (unless living away from home for their education) and be neither married nor in a relationship. You will also need to have sole or shared parental responsibility for the child. In the case of shared parental responsibility, you must not be in a relationship with the child’s other parent, and the other parent must be either a British or Irish citizen, have UK permanent residence, or have EU pre-settled status. 

In the case of the Fiance visa, you will need to have the civil service or wedding ceremony within 6 months of your arrival in the UK. You can then apply to extend your stay in the UK beyond the original 6 months. 

If you have an immediate family member on an eligible Work visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, you may be able to join them in the UK on a Dependant visa. This generally allows you to remain in the UK for the duration of their stay and to work and study in the UK during that time. 

The details of the Spouse visa are given later in this article. 

For further information on any of the routes discussed here, contact IAS today on +44 (0)333 414 9244.

UK Spouse visa from Bangladesh

In order to join your spouse or partner in the UK, there are a number of conditions which you will need to satisfy. Firstly, your partner will need to fall into one of the following categories: 

• British or Irish citizen 
• UK permanent resident 
• EU pre settled status 
• Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa holder 
• Protection status (e.g. refugee status or humanitarian protection 
• Stateless status which permits them to remain in the UK 

Additionally, your relationship will need to fall within one of the following categories: 

• Marriage or civil partnership 
• Cohabitation for at least 2 years (which you will be expected to provide evidence of)
  • Where cohabitation has not been possible (e.g. because of cultural factors or working or studying in different locations) but you have been in a romantic relationship for at least 2 years, you may also be eligible for this route, if you are able to provide sufficient evidence that you have been in a relationship for at least a 2-year period (evidence could include shared financial records and proof of travel as a couple) 

Understanding UK Visa Application Process from Bangladesh

The process of applying for a UK visa involves many steps and can often be complicated. It is also important to keep on top of any changes to UK immigration law before submitting your application.

In general, you can submit your application online, via the UK government website. You will also need to verify your identity, either using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app or via attending an appointment at a UK visa application centre. In Bangladesh, these can be found in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chittagong-Peninsula. 

Once your application has been submitted, it will then be processed and you will receive a decision on your application. If your application is successful, you will be granted a visa, which you can use to enter the UK. If your application is not successful, you may be able to appeal the decision. 

UK Visa Requirements for Bangladeshi

To be eligible for a UK visa, Bangladeshi’s must meet the following requirements as well as having the correct travel documents:

1. Be prepared financially and have enough foresight for unexpected financial problems that may inevitably rise as a result of immigrating to another country.
2. If you are on a short-stay visa, be sure to plan to leave the UK at the end of your stay. You may be asked to prove this at immigration when you arrive or when applying for the visa.
3. You must not provide fraudulent information or give a false identity when applying for a visa. This results in a 5-year ban on applying to any visa.

Many visas have options for extension once they are due to expire. However, Bangladeshi’s wishing to extend their visa must apply for an extension before the current visa expires. It is not guaranteed that the extension will be approved. Some visas don’t offer extensions and so Bangladeshi’s will need to return after their stay.

If Bangladeshi’s intend to immigrate to the UK to naturalise in the UK with ILR, they must be aware of the visa types that will lead to naturalisation, as some visas do not allow this.

To naturalise as a British Citizen, Bangladeshi’s will have to reside the UK for up to 2-5 years, or 10 years, depending on the visa they have and their  circumstances.

Required Documents for UK Visa Application from Bangladesh

When applying for a UK visa, there are a number of documents which you will be expected to provide. The exact documents will depend on the visa in question but will generally include a combination of the following: 

• Passport (or equivalent travel document) 
• Wedding certificate (if applicable)
• Birth certificate (if applicable) 
• Proof of relationship status (if applicable) 
• Passport photo 
• Offer of employment from licenced UK employer (if applicable) 

Certificate of sponsorship (if applicable) 

UK Visa Fees

Bangladeshi’s will have to prove their financial status in order to meet the requirements of most visas they apply for.

Applicants must also be aware of unexpected costs such as standard application fees for visas, which vary in cost dependant on the visa type. For example, visit visa for UK costs £127, student visa cost you £524 and skilled worker visa fee is from £769.

Proof of payment will need to be shown. There’s also consular fees for visa and immigration advice, accommodation costs as well as medical expenses.

Health and travel insurance is highly advised for those travelling to the UK from Bangladesh. It is also advised that dependents relying on the visa holder must be accounted for financially.

Processing Times for Visa Application

The UK standard visitor visa processing time from Bangladesh in 2025 is usually within 3-weeks.

The UK priority tourist or visitor visa processing time from Bangladesh is normally within 5 working days.

Dependents on UK Visa

Bangladeshi’s wishing to add dependants to their travel plans must be aware that dependants must file separate visas.

Dependents are someone as follows:

• A child below 18
• A child over 18 that is entirely dependent on an adult, for example with a disability
• An elderly parent
• A Spouse
• An unmarried partner
• An adopted child

Applicants must also be aware of medical and travel insurance, as well as accommodation requirements during their stay in Ireland.

Can a Bangladeshi get UK citizenship?

Yes, a Bangladeshi citizen can get UK citizenship, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. 

In most cases, you will need to have lived and worked continuously in the UK for at least 5 years before becoming eligible for permanent residence. After 1 year of permanent residence, you will then be able to apply for UK citizenship. However, there are a number of additional conditions which you will also need to meet, including: 

• Have sufficient English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language skills 
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Plan to continue living in the UK

In general, Bangladesh does not allow dual citizen status, meaning you may be required to renounce your Bangladeshi citizenship in order to become a citizen of the UK. However, it is possible to apply for a Dual Nationality Certificate via the Bangladeshi government if you obtain citizenship of certain countries, including the UK. 

How Can IAS Help?

Immigrating from Bangladesh to the United Kingdom can be a difficult immigration procedure to navigate, especially without the help of an immigration lawyer.

Our team of professional lawyers are well trained on the legal implications of relocating families and individuals from another country, even just for a short stay time period.

We highly advise individuals to enlist the help of one of our immigration team to guide you through the process.

For more information about immigrating to the UK, including what you have to do to become eligible as well as advice on your immigration situation, reach out to one of our legal advisers today. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online.