Bangladesh
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
Restrictions on entry to Bangladesh
Sources are mixed on whether Bangladesh imposes entry restrictions on people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Bangladesh does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The US Department of State points out that some HIV entry restrictions exist for visitors and non-national residents of Bangladesh.
The Foreigners Act 1946, Act No. XXI of 1946 (23rd November, 1946) authorised the government to request medical examinations to non-nationals as a condition to enter the country.
However, the information provided on the website of the Official Bangladesh Visa Application Centre does not outline any HIV-specific entry restrictions affecting people living with HIV.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Bangladesh
Sources are mixed on whether Bangladesh imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Bangladesh does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
However, a 2009 UNDP report highlights that: ‘in Bangladesh, migrant workers account for a significant number of people living with HIV […] Even though the results are biased because migrants are subject to mandatory HIV testing while the general population is not, the risks and vulnerabilities that migrants often face increases their risk of HIV infection, and this calls for urgent attention.’
The Embassies of Bangladesh in Bangkok and in Mexico provide a list of supporting documents that should be included with various types of temporary visa, including work permits, and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Bangladesh
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Bangladesh based on HIV status beyond those established for short-term stays.
Treatment access in Bangladesh
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Bangladesh. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to IOM, there is no barrier to receiving health services from providers to non-nationals working in Bangladesh. The forcedly displaced non-nationals also enjoy some medical facilities in the health centres around the makeshift settlements. However, there is a lack of specific guidance on health insurance for non-nationals working in Bangladesh. There are no mandatory medical treatment and necessary counselling services available for returnee migrants and inward migrants.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Bangladesh page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
