What Is a Transit Visa?
A transit visa allows you to pass through a country's territory on your way to your final destination, without entering the country as a regular visitor. Transit visas are distinct from regular tourist or visitor visas — they are shorter, cheaper, and specifically designed for passengers who are connecting between flights through that country.
For Bangladeshi passport holders, transit visas are an important consideration for any multi-leg journey that routes through countries with strict transit requirements. Unlike many Western passport holders who can transit freely through most countries, Bangladeshi passport holders require transit visas for several key transit hubs.
Which Countries Require Transit Visas for Bangladeshi Passport Holders?
The requirement for a transit visa depends on your passport, the country you are transiting through, and whether you will clear immigration (airside transit vs. landside transit).
United Kingdom — Transit Visa Required
Bangladeshi passport holders require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) to transit through any UK airport — including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester — even if they do not go through UK immigration and remain airside. This applies even if you are simply transferring between two flights in the same terminal.
The UK DATV costs £35 and requires a visa application through VFS Global. You will need to demonstrate your onward travel with a clear flight itinerary showing your full journey — from Bangladesh, through the UK, to your final destination.
Schengen Zone — Airport Transit Visa Required for Some
The Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV) is required for Bangladeshi passport holders transiting airside through Schengen area airports. This includes major European transit hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (CDG), and Zurich.
The Schengen ATV allows you to transit through the international zone of a Schengen airport without entering the Schengen area. Your application must include a complete flight itinerary showing your journey from Bangladesh through the Schengen airport to your final destination.
United States — Transit Without Visa (C1) Requirements
Bangladeshi passport holders need a C1 transit visa to transit through any US airport. This applies even if you are connecting between two international flights and do not plan to enter the United States. The C1 transit visa requires an embassy interview and supporting documents including your full flight itinerary.
Many travellers from Bangladesh planning to transit through the US apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa instead of a C1, as it provides more flexibility and is valid for multiple entries.
Canada — Transit Visa (C-1)
Bangladeshi passport holders require a Canadian Transit Visa (C-1) to transit through Canadian airports. The application is submitted through VFS Global and requires a transit visa application with supporting documents including your full travel itinerary.
Countries Where Bangladeshis Can Usually Transit Without a Visa
- UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi): Bangladeshi passport holders can transit through UAE airports without a transit visa for stays under 96 hours in the transit zone.
- Qatar (Doha): Transit without visa for Bangladeshi passport holders transiting through Hamad International Airport.
- Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur): Transit without visa for short transits through KLIA.
- Turkey (Istanbul): Transit without visa at Istanbul Airport for most international connections.
- Singapore (Changi): Transit without visa for Bangladeshi passengers connecting at Changi Airport.
Note: Always verify current transit visa requirements through the official embassy or immigration authority, as policies can change.
Why You Need a Dummy Ticket for Transit Visa Applications
A dummy ticket — showing your complete multi-leg journey — is essential for any transit visa application. Here is why:
Proving Genuine Transit Intent
The core purpose of a transit visa application is to demonstrate that you are genuinely passing through the country on your way to a confirmed onward destination. A flight itinerary showing your full route — for example, Dhaka → London Heathrow → New York — proves to the UK immigration authority that your purpose in transiting London is to connect to the US, not to remain in the UK.
Without a clear onward travel document, the transit visa application is unlikely to succeed.
Format of the Transit Dummy Ticket
For transit visa applications, your EchoFlights flight itinerary should include:
- Inbound flight to the transit country — showing your arrival from Bangladesh
- Connecting flight from the transit country — showing your departure to your final destination
- Return flight (for tourist purposes) — if your final destination also requires proof of return travel
All flights should be on the same itinerary document, clearly showing the full journey from Bangladesh to your final destination with the transit connection.
Transit Visa Application Process — Key Steps
UK Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
- Complete the online UK visa application at gov.uk
- Pay the DATV fee (£35)
- Book your biometric appointment at VFS Global, Dhaka
- Prepare documents: passport, DS-160 equivalent, flight itinerary showing full journey, financial documents, accommodation proof at final destination
- Submit application at VFS Global
- Processing time: 3–15 working days
Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV)
- Determine which Schengen country's airport you are transiting through
- Apply at that country's embassy or through VFS/BLS in Dhaka
- Prepare documents: passport, flight itinerary showing full journey, visa for final destination (if required), financial documents
- Processing time: 10–15 working days
Planning Your Journey to Avoid Transit Visa Requirements
For many destinations, Bangladeshi travellers can avoid transit visa complications by choosing routing through transit-friendly hubs. Middle Eastern carriers — Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), and Etihad (Abu Dhabi) — offer extensive global connections from Dhaka without requiring transit visas at their hubs.
Routes through these hubs are often comparable in price and travel time to European-hub routes, and they eliminate the transit visa cost and application effort.
Getting Your Transit Dummy Ticket
EchoFlights generates multi-leg flight itineraries covering your full journey including transit connections. Your document will show all flight segments from Bangladesh through the transit country to your final destination — exactly what transit visa applications require.
At 100 Taka via bKash with instant PDF delivery, it is the fastest and most affordable way to get your transit visa flight itinerary in Bangladesh. Browse available routes on our flights search page to find your specific itinerary. For more information on how dummy tickets work, read our guide on what a dummy ticket is and how it works for visa applications.
Summary — Transit Visa and Dummy Ticket Checklist
- Check if your transit country requires a visa for Bangladeshi passport holders
- Generate a multi-leg EchoFlights itinerary showing your full journey
- Ensure the itinerary shows both the inbound flight to the transit country and the connecting flight onward
- Apply for the transit visa with your full document set including the itinerary
- Check if your final destination also requires a visa — you will need it before applying for most transit visas