Permit for foreign nationals

Chittagong Hill Tracts

Permit for foreign nationals · Bangladesh

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In short

For visitors: permit required — or permit in advance, via an agency, depending on the area, purpose or group.

Boundary area — 13,146 km²
Checked against the act on 21 October 2026
Local name: পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম

Who may enter, and with what

Rules by group of people, as the source states them, with dates. We give no assessments of our own.

Foreign nationals — permit in advance, via an agency. Foreign tourists visit Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban through a guided tour operator, who applies to the district Deputy Commissioner (district online systems); permission follows a security check.Issued by: Deputy Commissioner (district administration) of the hill district concerned; the guide/tour operator applies · Processing time: Khagrachhari: at least 7 days ahead; FCDO: 10 days' notice · Fee: Rangamati: «zero cost» (online system)Exceptions: Diplomats and UN/international organisation staff — Foreign Ministry permission; employees of companies in the hill districts — through the Deputy Commissioner at the company's request.
Original wording
Guided Tour Operator-দের মাধ্যমে ভ্রমণে ইচ্ছুক সাধারণ বিদেশী পর্যটকগণ সংশ্লিষ্ট জেলা প্রশাসক এর নিকট আবেদন করবেন।
Apply · Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh, letter of 23.04.2015 (published on bandarban.gov.bd) · as of 23 April 2015 · checked 21 October 2026
Foreign nationals — permit required. Independent travellers, researchers and other foreign visitors apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs at least 10 days ahead with purpose, itinerary and dates.Issued by: Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh · Processing time: at least 10 days ahead
Original wording
ভ্রমণের অন্ততঃপক্ষে ১০(দশ) দিন পূর্বে স্বরাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ে ... আবেদন করবেন
Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh, letter of 23.04.2015 (published on bandarban.gov.bd) · as of 23 April 2015 · checked 21 October 2026

Legal basis

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Questions

Permits and restricted zones — FAQ

Do you need a permit: Chittagong Hill Tracts?

For visitors: permit required — or permit in advance, via an agency, depending on the area, purpose or group. Foreign tourists visit Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban through a guided tour operator, who applies to the district Deputy Commissioner (district online systems); permission follows a security check.

Where do I get the permit?

Issued by: Deputy Commissioner (district administration) of the hill district concerned; the guide/tour operator applies. The link to the official application page is in the rule above.

Will the planner see this zone on my route?

Yes: the zone has a boundary, and the trip plan will show a line if the route or an overnight stop falls inside.

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