Immigration Form & Arrival Card Rules 2026: Bangladesh Departure Card PDF & Box-by-Box Guide
Filling out the Bangladesh Immigration Embarkation / Departure Card accurately is a vital legal prerequisite when departing through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Shah Amanat (CGP), or Osmani (ZYL). While biometric e-Passport holders utilizing automated e-Gates are exempt, thousands of outbound migrant workers and travelers using manual immigration booths must complete paper cards. This guide breaks down every single box to ensure frictionless border clearance.
π 5 Core Modules in This Master Guide
- Module 1: Departure Card Basics & Regulations (Queries 01β06): Legal requirements, free availability, essential documents, English block lettering, and error handling.
- Module 2: Box-by-Box Field Guide (Queries 07β12): Full Name, Passport Number, Place of Issue, Flight Number, Destination, Purpose of Travel, and permanent address.
- Module 3: Foreign Arrival Cards & Digital Systems (Queries 13β18): In-flight landing cards, Malaysia MDAC, Singapore SGAC, Thailand TM6, and Maldives IMUGA portals.
- Module 4: Special Guidelines for Labor & Family Travelers (Queries 19β24): BMET card holders, domestic workers, illiterate traveler assistance, student visas, and transit.
- Module 5: Common Errors, PDF Download & Exit (Queries 25β30): Top 5 filing blunders, downloadable PDF templates, desk etiquette, and verifying departure ink stamps.
1. Legal Importance of the Bangladesh Immigration Departure Card
The Immigration Departure Card serves as an official statutory declaration under the Bangladesh Emigration Ordinance. Special Branch immigration officers cross-reference the data written on this card against the national immigration border control database, checking for flight manifest matching, court travel bans, and valid BMET manpower verification. Submitting an illegible, incorrect, or contradictory card causes immediate delays and unwanted questioning at the immigration booth.
Cluster 1: Bangladesh Departure Card Regulations & Form Acquisition
01. What is the Bangladesh Immigration Departure Card & Who Must Fill It?
The Embarkation / Departure Card is a physical government form that captures personal, travel, and flight data of outgoing passengers. All Bangladeshi citizens traveling abroad using manual immigration booths with Machine Readable Passports (MRP), and passengers without automated e-Gate biometric clearance, are legally required to complete and sign this card prior to presenting themselves to an immigration officer.
02. Where to Collect Departure Cards at Dhaka, Chittagong & Sylhet Airports
Departure forms are available 100% free of charge at dedicated wooden writing desks positioned in front of the immigration gates, at airline check-in counters, and at the Probashi Kalyan Desk. You never have to purchase or pay anyone for an immigration card.
03. Required Documents to Keep in Hand When Completing the Card
Keep your original passport, physical airline boarding pass, printed visa copy, and BMET smart card (for work visa holders) on the desk in front of you. Every single detail on the form must match your passport exactly.
04. Language Rules: Why Forms Must Be Filled Exclusively in English Block Letters
Immigration departure cards must NEVER be filled out in Bengali handwriting. International border databases process records using Latin alphabet optical scanning. Write exclusively in clear English capital (BLOCK) letters using a dark blue or black ink ballpoint pen.
05. Bangladesh Arrival Cards: Who Must Fill Them When Entering the Country?
Arrival cards (Disembarkation forms) are distributed to inbound travelers before landing in Bangladesh. All foreign passport holders, overseas visitors, business travelers, and foreign spouses without dual citizenship must complete an arrival card. Native Bangladeshi passport holders returning home are exempt.
06. What to Do If You Make a Mistake or Spelling Error on the Card
Never scratch out text, use fluid eraser, or overwrite letters. If you make a clerical error, discard the damaged form, pick up a brand-new blank card from the desk, and rewrite your details cleanly.
Cluster 2: Box-by-Box Field Completion Guide for Bangladesh Departure Cards
07. 'Full Name' Box: How to Write Your Surname & Given Name Accurately
Write your complete legal name in English block letters exactly as printed on your passport bio-data page (e.g. MOHAMMAD TARIQUL ISLAM). Leave one empty space between words. Do not add unverified nicknames or honorific titles (e.g. Haji, Alhaj, Engineer).
08. 'Passport No' and 'Place of Issue' Fields: Exact Passport Details
Write your 9-character passport number starting with the capital letter (e.g. A01234567 for e-Passports, or EA0123456 for MRPs). In the 'Place of Issue' box, write DHAKA (or the issuing regional passport office or Bangladesh Embassy abroad printed on your passport).
09. 'Flight No' & 'Date of Departure': Matching Your Boarding Pass
Copy the 2-letter airline code and flight number directly from your boarding pass (e.g. SV 805, EK 583, or BG 349). In the date field, write today's departure date in DD/MM/YYYY format.
10. 'Destination Country' & 'Transit Airport': What to Enter
Write your ultimate destination country where your visa is issued (e.g. SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, MALAYSIA, or UNITED KINGDOM). If you are flying via a transit hub like Dubai or Doha, write the final destination country, not the transit country.
11. 'Purpose of Visit': Employment, Business, Tourism or Study
Check the box that strictly corresponds to your visa category: (1) Employment / Work: For all BMET manpower clearance and overseas job visa holders, (2) Tourism / Holiday: For tourist visa holders, (3) Business: For commercial conferences, or (4) Study: For student visa holders. Never mark 'Tourism' if traveling on a work visa.
12. 'Address in Bangladesh' & Contact Mobile Phone Number
Write your village, post office, police station, and district as printed on your passport (e.g. VILL: CHANDPUR, PS: BEGUMGANJ, NOAKHALI) along with your active 11-digit mobile phone number in Bangladesh.
Complete Box-by-Box Master Decoding Table for Bangladesh Departure Card
Cross-reference each printed numbered box on the physical card against this verified guide before entering the passport control queue:
| Box # / Field Label | Required Format & Rule | Ideal Specimen Example | Critical Error to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Full Name (Block Letters) | Capital letters only. Leave 1 space between words. | MOHAMMAD RAFIQUL ISLAM | Writing nicknames or honorific titles (Haji). |
| 2. Nationality | Official country name. | BANGLADESHI | Writing 'Bangla' or 'BD'. |
| 3. Passport Number | 9-character passport serial including leading letter. | A04589214 / EA0129482 | Omitting the first capital letter. |
| 4. Place of Issue | Issuing regional passport office or mission. | DHAKA / CHITTAGONG / SYLHET | Writing home village name instead of issue city. |
| 5. Date of Birth | DD/MM/YYYY numeric format. | 15/08/1988 | Reversing day and month (US format). |
| 6. Profession / Occupation | Designation matching visa or BMET card. | ELECTRICIAN / DRIVER / PLUMBER | Writing general terms like 'Service' or 'Worker'. |
| 7. Flight Number | 2-letter airline code + flight number. | SV 805 / EK 583 / BG 349 | Copying e-ticket PNR instead of flight number. |
| 8. Date of Departure | Today's date in DD/MM/YYYY. | 04/09/2026 | Writing ticket purchase date. |
| 9. Country of Final Destination | Final host nation where visa is issued. | SAUDI ARABIA / UAE / QATAR | Writing transit stop airport (e.g. Dubai). |
| 10. Purpose of Travel | Check corresponding checkbox. | [X] EMPLOYMENT | Marking 'Tourism' when holding a work visa. |
| 11. Permanent Address in Bangladesh | Village, Post Office, Police Station, District. | VILL: CHANDPUR, PS: BEGUMGANJ, NOAKHALI | Leaving address incomplete without district. |
| 12. Contact Mobile Number | Active 11-digit mobile phone number. | 017XXXXXXXX | Writing an inactive or disconnected SIM number. |
| 13. Address Abroad (Overseas) | Company name, camp location, or hotel. | AL-BAWANI CAMP, EXIT 10, RIYADH, KSA | Leaving box completely blank. |
| 14. Signature of Passenger | Handwritten signature matching passport. | [Signed] | Submitting form without passenger signature. |
Cluster 3: Foreign Arrival Cards & Modern Digital Disembarkation Portals
13. Paper Disembarkation Cards Distributed on Inbound International Flights
During flight descent, cabin crew hand out paper landing cards for countries that have not fully digitized entry procedures. Keep a ballpoint pen in your hand bag so you can fill out the form calmly at your seat rather than rushing in crowded arrival halls.
14. Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): Complete 6-Step Registration Guide
Under Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) directives, all incoming foreign travelersβincluding Bangladeshi migrant workers, tourists, and studentsβmust complete the online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 calendar days prior to arrival in Kuala Lumpur (KLIA1 / KLIA2) or Penang. Follow these 6 steps:
- Step 1: Visit the official government portal
https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Never use paid third-party agency sites. - Step 2: Click 'Register'. Enter your full name matching your passport, passport number, nationality (Bangladeshi), date of birth, and email address.
- Step 3: Enter your travel details: date of arrival, date of departure (or expected stay duration), and mode of transport (Air).
- Step 4: Select flight carrier (e.g. Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, or Biman) and enter your exact flight number.
- Step 5: Under accommodation details, select 'Hotel/Lodging' or 'Residence', and type your hotel name or employer company camp address in Malaysia with state and postcode.
- Step 6: Submit the form and immediately download the generated MDAC PDF confirmation containing your registration PIN and QR code. Save a copy on your smartphone and print a physical paper copy.
15. Singapore SG Arrival Card (SGAC) & Electronic Health Declaration
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore mandates that all incoming passengers (foreign visitors, work permit holders, and students) submit the electronic SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with health declaration within 3 days before arriving at Singapore Changi Airport. Registration is 100% free of charge via the official portal https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/ or the MyICA Mobile App. Enter your passport number, flight details, contact email, and answer the statutory health declaration questions regarding fever or contagious disease exposure. Upon submission, an automated electronic acknowledgement is sent to your email with a barcode. Show this barcode on your phone or provide your passport directly at Changi's automated biometric immigration lanes.
16. Thailand Electronic Arrival System & TM6 Regulations
Thailand has periodically suspended physical TM6 paper arrival cards at major international airports (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) to ease passenger congestion, but travelers must present confirmed hotel vouchers and return tickets at immigration counters.
17. Maldives IMUGA Digital Traveler Declaration Within 96 Hours
Travelers visiting the Maldives must complete the online IMUGA Traveler Declaration at imuga.immigration.gov.mv within 96 hours prior to flight departure. The portal generates a digital QR code that must be shown to border officers in Male.
18. In-Flight Paper Customs Declaration Forms Distributed Before Landing
In addition to immigration border landing cards, several international jurisdictions (including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Australia, and European Union member states) mandate that arriving passengers complete a physical paper customs declaration form if carrying dutiable or restricted commodities. Items that must be explicitly declared include: (1) Cash, bank notes, or negotiable monetary instruments exceeding ,000 USD equivalent, (2) Commercial product samples or goods intended for resale, (3) Agricultural seeds, raw plant matter, fresh soil, meat, or live animals, and (4) Prescription pharmaceuticals containing controlled narcotics or psychotropic compounds without a certified physician's prescription. Failing to declare these items on the paper customs form before crossing into the customs inspection zone constitutes an offense under international customs legislation, leading to immediate confiscation, civil financial fines, or criminal prosecution.
Cluster 4: Special Instructions for Migrant Workers, Illiterate Travelers & Students
19. BMET Clearance Matching for Outbound Expatriate Workers
For workers traveling on overseas employment visas, the immigration departure card is cross-checked against your BMET database record. Ensure that your employer's company name and sponsor details on the card match your BMET Smart Card and visa.
20. Free Assistance for Illiterate & First-Time Outbound Travelers
If a traveling worker cannot read or write English, they can approach the Probashi Kalyan Help Desk at Dhaka Airport. Government welfare officers are stationed 24/7 to assist expatriate workers in filling out their departure cards completely free of charge. Never pay unauthorized brokers roaming the concourse.
21. Special Protocols for Female Overseas Domestic Workers
Female domestic workers departing for Gulf nations undergo secondary verification by Special Branch officers to confirm genuine BMET manpower authorization and prevent human trafficking. Keep your BMET certificate, agency contract, and sponsor agreement organized in your hand folder.
22. Guidelines for International Students (UK, Canada, USA, Europe)
Students traveling abroad on higher education visas must mark 'Study' under Purpose of Visit. In the overseas address box, write the university name, campus location, and student accommodation address, carrying your university Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS / I-20).
23. Medical Patients Traveling to India, Singapore or Thailand
Patients departing on medical visas must mark 'Medical Treatment' on the card and carry original hospital appointment letters, doctor invitations, and adequate foreign currency / medical endorsement documentation.
24. Minor Children Traveling with Parents or Solo
Parents traveling with minor children must complete a separate departure card for each child. If a child travels with one parent or an unaccompanied minor service, carry a notarized parental consent affidavit and birth certificate.
Cluster 5: Common Mistakes, Desk Etiquette & Verification of Exit Stamps
25. Top 5 Costly Departure Card Blunders to Avoid
- Blunder 1: Writing in Bengali instead of English block letters.
- Blunder 2: Marking 'Tourism' when traveling on a work visa with a BMET card.
- Blunder 3: Writing transit airport (Dubai/Doha) instead of final destination country.
- Blunder 4: Submitting a card with messy scratches, fluid erasers, or illegible scribbles.
- Blunder 5: Forgetting to sign the card at the bottom signature field.
26. Official Bangladesh Immigration Departure Form PDF Download
Travelers can download official specimen PDF templates of the Bangladesh Departure Card online to practice filling out each box at home before traveling to the airport, eliminating last-minute rush and anxiety.
27. Handing Over Documents at the Immigration Booth
When called forward to the immigration officer's counter, step up alone. Hand over your passport opened to the bio-data page with your boarding pass and completed departure card placed neatly inside. Remove sunglasses, hats, or face masks for facial recognition scanning.
28. Answering Routine Immigration Questions Confidently
The officer may ask: "Where are you going?", "What is your job abroad?", or "How long have you worked there?" Answer calmly, briefly, and politely in Bengali or English. Your spoken answers must match the data written on your departure card and visa.
29. Mandatory Inspection of Passport Exit Ink Stamp (Departure Date)
Before stepping away from the counter, open your passport and inspect the physical exit ink stamp. Verify that the stamp shows today's date, port of departure (DAC/CGP/ZYL), and officer seal. Exiting without an official departure stamp can lead to serious legal questioning when returning home.
30. Proceeding from Immigration to Boarding Security & Gate Concourse
Once your passport is stamped, proceed through final hand luggage security screening and enter the international departure lounge. Check the overhead FIDS screens for your boarding gate number and report to your gate at least 45 minutes prior to departure.
Real Expatriate Case Studies: Airport Immigration Card Experiences
Case 1: Anwar's 'Tourism' Error Rectified
Anwar, traveling on a Saudi construction visa, accidentally checked the 'Tourism' box on his departure card. The immigration officer questioned why a worker had marked tourism. Anwar apologized, explained he was nervous, filled out a fresh card marking 'Employment', and was cleared smoothly with his BMET card.
Case 2: Delwar's MDAC Online Success
Delwar flew to Kuala Lumpur for employment. Two days before flight, he registered his Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online and kept the PDF on his phone. While fellow passengers were held up at KLIA trying to submit last-minute forms on slow airport Wi-Fi, Delwar showed his QR code and cleared Malaysian immigration in 3 minutes.
10 Golden Rules for 100% Error-Free Immigration Form Submission
- Use English Block Capital Letters: Write every letter clearly so scanners can read your name without error.
- Match Passport Exactly: Ensure your name, passport number, and date of birth match your passport bio-data page.
- Carry a Black or Blue Ballpoint Pen: Avoid gel pens that smear or bleed through thin immigration cards.
- Never Submit Messy Forms: If you make a mistake, take a fresh blank card from the desk; they are 100% free.
- Select Correct Purpose: Mark 'Employment' if traveling on a work visa; never mark 'Tourism' for migrant jobs.
- Complete Destination Country Accurately: Write your ultimate destination where your visa is valid, not transit hubs.
- Seek Free Welfare Help: If you cannot write English, ask the Probashi Kalyan Help Desk for free assistance.
- Pre-Register Digital Cards: Complete Malaysia MDAC, Singapore SGAC, and Maldives IMUGA online before flying.
- Sign the Form: Put your signature in the designated box matching your passport signature.
- Verify Exit Ink Stamp: Check that the immigration officer stamped your passport with today's date before walking away.
π Related Essential Pre-Departure & Airport Guides:
Global Shift Toward Paperless Border Clearance & Electronic Travel Authorizations
The international aviation industry is aggressively transitioning from physical cardboard disembarkation slips to pre-arrival Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) and digital declaration portals. Understanding these global frameworks ensures seamless passage across major transit corridors:
United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA) Mandate
Under UK Home Office border modernizations, all visitors who do not require a formal visa (and transit passengers clearing UK border control) must secure an electronic UK ETA linked digitally to their passport chip prior to boarding. Applications are submitted via the UK ETA mobile application, requiring biometric facial scanning and passport chip verification.
European Union ETIAS & Entry/Exit System (EES) Protocols
The Schengen Area's Entry/Exit System (EES) automates border registration for non-EU travelers, replacing manual ink passport stamps with biometric facial images and four-fingerprint digital records. The complementary European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) mandates pre-travel security declarations for visa-exempt travelers, enhancing international flight security screening.
Maldives IMUGA Traveler Health & Immigration Declaration
All passengers traveling to the Maldives (for resort employment or tourism) must complete the online IMUGA digital declaration portal (imuga.immigration.gov.mv) within 96 hours before flight departure and arrival. The portal generates a scannable QR code required by airline check-in staff in Dhaka and Velana International Airport immigration officers in Male.
Global Shift Toward Paperless Border Clearance & Electronic Travel Authorizations
The international aviation industry is aggressively transitioning from physical cardboard disembarkation slips to pre-arrival Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) and digital declaration portals. Understanding these global frameworks ensures seamless passage across major transit corridors:
United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA) Mandate
Under UK Home Office border modernizations, all visitors who do not require a formal visa (and transit passengers clearing UK border control) must secure an electronic UK ETA linked digitally to their passport chip prior to boarding. Applications are submitted via the UK ETA mobile application, requiring biometric facial scanning and passport chip verification.
European Union ETIAS & Entry/Exit System (EES) Protocols
The Schengen Area's Entry/Exit System (EES) automates border registration for non-EU travelers, replacing manual ink passport stamps with biometric facial images and four-fingerprint digital records. The complementary European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) mandates pre-travel security declarations for visa-exempt travelers, enhancing international flight security screening.
Maldives IMUGA Traveler Health & Immigration Declaration
All passengers traveling to the Maldives (for resort employment or tourism) must complete the online IMUGA digital declaration portal (imuga.immigration.gov.mv) within 96 hours before flight departure and arrival. The portal generates a scannable QR code required by airline check-in staff in Dhaka and Velana International Airport immigration officers in Male.
International Border Entry Forms: Paper Cards vs. Digital e-Gates Across Key Hubs
Border management authorities across the world are transitioning from physical paper disembarkation cards toward centralized digital border entry systems. While countries like Singapore (SG Arrival Card), Malaysia (MDAC), and Saudi Arabia (Muqeem) mandate electronic pre-departure submissions, several key global destinations still utilize physical disembarkation cards handed out by flight attendants prior to landing.
Digital Submission Protocols
Must be submitted online within 72 hours before arrival. Always save a PDF offline copy and screenshot of the generated QR code or reference bar code on your smartphone to present to the border control officer even if terminal Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Paper Card Completion Rules
Write legibly using black or dark blue ink. Use block capital letters. Provide the complete physical street address and contact telephone number of your booked hotel or host residence. Retain the departure tear-off stub inside your passport for exit clearance.
Common Disembarkation Card Rejection Reasons & On-the-Spot Rectifications
Immigration officers at destination airports reject landing cards primarily due to incomplete hotel address details, illegible handwritten handwriting, mismatched passport numbers, or leaving the occupation field blank. When a border officer flags an error on your arrival card, remain calm and request a blank replacement slip from the podium desk.
Hotel Booking Voucher Matching: The accommodation address written on the landing card must match the hotel voucher printout in your document folder. Writing generic terms like 'Hotel in City' or 'Friend House' without street numbers triggers secondary inspection interviews.
Retention of Departure Stub: Several nations (including Thailand, Japan, and Egypt) staple a small departure coupon into your passport during entry clearance. Do not misplace or discard this stub, as it must be surrendered to the immigration officer upon exiting the country.
β Frequently Asked Questions (Immigration Form Top 10 FAQ)
1. Do Bangladeshi citizens holding valid electronic passports (e-Passports) need to fill out a paper departure card? βΌ
Under Special Branch (SB) immigration directives, Bangladeshi passengers holding biometric e-Passports who utilize automated e-Gates at Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are completely exempt from paper departure cards. However, passengers using manual immigration booths with Machine Readable Passports (MRP) or traveling on specific overseas work categories may still be directed to complete paper departure forms.
2. Where can passengers collect the Bangladesh Immigration Departure Form at the airport? βΌ
Paper departure cards are available free of charge at dedicated writing desks and information counters situated in the departure concourse immediately before entering the immigration passport control security queue. Forms are also available at airline check-in counters.
3. Can the immigration departure card be filled out in Bengali handwriting? βΌ
No. International civil aviation and immigration databases operate on English alphanumeric characters. All personal information on the departure card must be filled out in clear English capital (BLOCK) letters using a blue or black ink ballpoint pen to prevent optical character recognition (OCR) errors.
4. Who is legally required to fill out the Bangladesh Immigration Arrival Form when landing in Dhaka? βΌ
All foreign passport holders, overseas citizens of Bangladeshi origin traveling without 'No Visa Required' (NVR) endorsements, foreign diplomats, and foreign tourists must complete the arrival form. Bangladeshi passport holders returning home are generally exempt.
5. What should a passenger do if they make a spelling mistake or cross out text on the form? βΌ
Never submit a messy or crossed-out departure card to an immigration officer. Pick up a fresh, clean form from the desk and rewrite your details neatly in block letters; replacement forms are 100% free and plentiful.
6. What should be written in the 'Address in Bangladesh' box if living in an ancestral village? βΌ
Write your permanent residential village, post office, upazila, and district name as printed on the back page of your passport (e.g. Village: Chandpur, Upazila: Sonaimuri, District: Noakhali) along with an active 11-digit Bangladeshi mobile telephone number.
7. What address should an outbound worker write in the 'Address Abroad' section? βΌ
Write the company name, camp location, city, and host country where you will be employed (e.g. Al-Bawani Construction Camp, Exit 10, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) as shown on your employment contract or visa document.
8. Is any fee or charge required to obtain or submit immigration forms? βΌ
No. Immigration departure and arrival forms are government documents provided completely free of charge. Demanding money for forms or assistance is illegal; report any solicitations to the Airport Executive Magistrate.
9. What should travelers without an overseas telephone number write in the contact number box? βΌ
You can write your recruiting agency's overseas representative contact number, your sponsor or company HR phone number, or provide your primary Bangladeshi mobile or WhatsApp number.
10. What should you do if an immigration officer retains your departure card? βΌ
Immigration officers retain the physical departure card for government border records, while stamping your physical passport with an exit stamp. Verify your passport exit stamp before walking into the departure lounge.