Bangladesh Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Bangladesh due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Unrest

Protests can occur and turn violent without notice. Avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones.

Crime

In Bangladesh’s major cities, common crimes include muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking.

Stay aware of petty crime in crowded areas, such as pickpocketing. These crimes tend to be based on time and location. There is no evidence that foreigners are targeted because of their country of origin.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other terrorist activity, in Bangladesh. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more

Kidnapping

There is risk of kidnapping in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Region, areas near the border with Burma, and refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar. Review the Risks in Specific Areas section to learn more.

Restrictions on movement for U.S. government employees

U.S. citizens in Bangladesh are advised to take similar precautions as U.S. government employees.

• U.S. government employees in Bangladesh must consult with the embassy security office before any overnight travel within Dhaka, or before any travel outside Dhaka for non-essential reasons. They must take appropriate security and accountability precautions during this travel.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh, particularly outside of Dhaka. This is due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited emergency responses from the local government.

Do not travel to:

• Chittagong Hill Tracts Region for any reason due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
• Areas near the border with Burma and refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar for any reason due to unrest, crime, and kidnapping.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, an area made up of the districts of:

• Rangamati
• Khagrachari
• Bandarban

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Flooding

Flash floods and landslides have affected parts of Bangladesh, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet regions.

There is an increased risk of seasonal flooding in parts of northeast Bangladesh, including the Sylhet region, due to heavy rainfall during the pre‑monsoon period.

Flooding may occur with little warning and could disrupt transport, utilities and access to services, particularly in low‑lying and river‑adjacent areas.

Monitor local weather forecasts and updates from the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and follow the advice of local authorities.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Bangladesh.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Bangladesh

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Bangladesh.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks. These attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, and places such as:

• public buildings, including restaurants and cafés
• public transport
• crowded areas
• religious buildings
• political rallies

Some groups have targeted people who they consider to have views and lifestyles contrary to Islam, including religious minorities.

Islamist extremist groups operate in Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi authorities continue to disrupt planned attacks. Increases in security force presence and restrictions on movement may be put in place at short notice.

Remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid large gatherings and other locations with a police or security presence. Follow the advice of local authorities.

This section has safety advice for regions of Bangladesh. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Chittagong Hill Tracts

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, an area made up of the districts of:

• Rangamati
• Khagrachari
• Bandarban

Chittagong City and other districts of Chittagong Division are not included in the travel warning.

Security in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is a cause for concern. There are regular reports of violence and other criminal activity, particularly in more remote areas.

If you plan to travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, you must give the Bangladesh authorities 10 days’ notice.

Contact:

• Chittagong Divisional Commissioner’s Office (Telephone: 031 615 247)
• Chittagong Deputy Commissioner’s Office (Telephone: 031 619 996)

Bangladesh-Myanmar border

There are ongoing reports of increasing violence and fighting in Myanmar, close to the Bangladesh border. The situation in border areas near Myanmar remains unpredictable and may deteriorate at short notice. You should monitor local news outlets closely.

Continuing violence has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees crossing into the south-east of Bangladesh.

Most of the refugees are in the subdistricts of Ukhia and Teknaf in the southern part of Cox’s Bazar district. There are regular reports of insecurity, protests and violence.

Teknaf has the highest level of drug-related gang violence across Bangladesh, including:

• murders and shooting incidents between the gangs and police
• drug seizures, including large amounts of yaba (a mixture of caffeine and methamphetamine)
• kidnappings

Violence has increased in the refugee camps. There is no sign that foreign nationals are being targeted.

If you plan to visit Ukhia and Teknaf, you should:

• use caution
• consult the local authorities – you may need permission to travel there
• work through humanitarian agencies recognised by the Bangladeshi government if you want to provide assistance

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

Bangladesh - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to possible demonstrations, clashes and nationwide general strikes. The security situation could deteriorate with little warning.

Regional risks

Chittagong Hill Tracts region - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region due to politically motivated violence, kidnappings and sporadic ethnic clashes.

Security situation

Since July 2024, the security situation has been volatile in Bangladesh.

Political tensions remain elevated. Additional demonstrations and civil unrest may occur with little warning in response to judicial proceedings and political rallies. Civil unrest could lead to transportation disruptions, business closures or violent confrontations.

Local authorities have enhanced security measures in response to rising violence, including crude bomb detonations and arson attacks.

If you are in Bangladesh:

• expect a significant presence of security forces in major city centres and traffic disruptions
• be prepared to show identification at security checkpoints
• follow the advice of local authorities
• avoid all demonstrations and gatherings

For more information on demonstrations

Chittagong Hill Tracts region

There is a serious risk of politically motivated violence, kidnapping and sporadic ethnic clashes in this region.

Violent clashes occur between indigenous communities that are organized under opposing political groups. The clashes result from their desire to obtain political control over specific geographic areas.

These groups also engage in extortion and drug, money and weapons smuggling.

If you decide to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts region despite this advisory, you must contact the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner's Office at least 10 days before you arrive.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner's Office

孟加拉风险等级为黄色（中风险）。

外交部提醒在孟加拉中国公民，密切关注当地安全形势，提高警惕，加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。