Dhaka, 29 December 2025 – Bangladesh Bank has announced a policy allowing passengers to purchase international airline tickets using their international bank cards while remaining in the country. The move is intended to enhance customer convenience, promote digital payments, ensure fair competition, and improve transparency in foreign currency management.
Previously, international cards could only be used outside Bangladesh, restricting travellers’ access to competitive ticket prices due to limitations in the country’s digital payment infrastructure. Under the new directive, Bangladeshi citizens with valid visas can now purchase tickets for any approved foreign route from within Bangladesh using their international cards, streamlining travel planning and facilitating smoother transactions.
The directive also establishes clear rules for currency management, ensuring that ticket sale proceeds are properly recorded as foreign currency in local banks. Surplus funds may be legally transferred abroad without the need for conversion. Furthermore, travel quota international cards can now be refilled only after ticket payments have been processed through interbank channels, ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance.
Airlines are also permitted to deposit ticket revenue in foreign currency accounts maintained within Bangladesh, supporting transparency and modernising payment systems. Aviation industry stakeholders have welcomed the change, noting that it will align Bangladesh’s ticketing system with international digital standards, reduce price discrepancies between domestic and foreign sales channels, and strengthen monitoring of foreign currency flows.
Key Provisions of Bangladesh Bank’s Directive:
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Passengers | Bangladeshi citizens with valid visas |
| Payment Method | International bank cards via Bangladesh banking system |
| Currency Management | Proceeds recorded as foreign currency in local banks; surplus may be transferred abroad without conversion |
| Card Refill | Travel quota international cards can only be refilled after ticket payments are deposited via interbank channels |
| Airlines | May deposit ticket revenue in foreign currency accounts within Bangladesh |
The new policy is expected to modernise the country’s international ticketing system, foster the adoption of digital payments, and increase convenience for travellers. By enabling secure, transparent, and competitive ticket purchases from within Bangladesh, the initiative reflects the central bank’s commitment to financial innovation, regulatory compliance, and consumer-centric services.