Travel and Tourism

Bangladesh grants Emiratis visa-on-arrival travel

In an effort to encourage trade and tourism between the two countries, the Bangladesh government has granted Emiratis visa on arrival.

Anwar Ahmad

March 25, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

ABU DHABI // Emiratis can now travel to Bangladesh without first having to obtain a visa.

The Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE, Mohammed Imran, said his government had decided to grant UAE nationals visas on arrival.

“Now Emiratis can travel without any hassle,” said Mr Imran. “Their visas will be stamped at the airport. When they reach at the airport they will be granted the visas.”

About 1,000 Emiratis travel to Bangladesh each year, and Mr Imran said he hoped the initiative would lead to an increase in the figure.

“This will also improve the people-to-people contacts between the people of both countries,” said the ambassador, adding that the embassy and consulate in the UAE would still issue visas if requested.

“We don’t want to entirely shut the facility here but we want to facilitate them as much as we can.”

A visa costs Dh670 for a single-entry, three-month visit.

Mr Imran said he hoped the development would improve bilateral trade.

Bangladesh imports crude oil and other petroleum products from the UAE, and exports clothing, textiles, vegetables, fish, and steel products to the Emirates.

Bilateral trade volume has increased significantly in recent years to US$967 million (Dh3.55 billion) in 2012-13, which includes $251.25m in Bangladeshi exports.

“The UAE is one of the major foreign investors in Bangladesh. There has been flow of nearly $2.9bn investment from the UAE to Bangladesh,” said Mr Imran.

He said several charities in the UAE had funded cultural centres in Bangladesh.

“The deeply-rooted relations between Bangladesh and UAE are based on trust and confidence,” said Mr Imran. “There are ample opportunities to further expand and consolidate the relationship.”

anwar@thenational.ae

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”

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The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes. 
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com

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