Best eSIM for Bangladesh for Canadian travellers

What to know about staying connected in Bangladesh

• A local SIM needs your original passport (not a photocopy) and fingerprint registration, which takes about 15–20 minutes. This is a secondary guide titled for 2026.
• Grameenphone and Robi run kiosks in the arrivals hall at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Counters sometimes close early.
• Bangladesh's tourist SIM scheme (Daily Star, Dec. 2022) allows two SIMs per passport, sold at operator outlets at ports of entry, with 7, 15 or 30 days of validity. Tourist SIMs deregister automatically after 30 days. Check this still applies before you rely on it.
• Airalo's Bangladesh eSIM runs on GrameenPhone and is data-only, so it avoids the in-person fingerprint registration needed for a local SIM.

How to set up your eSIM

Do this at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly, so you land connected.

• To check if your iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About. If Carrier Lock says 'No SIM restrictions', it's unlocked. Only your carrier can unlock it.
• An iPhone can store eight or more eSIMs. To add one from a QR code, scan it with the Camera app, tap 'Cellular Plan Detected', then tap Add Cellular Plan.
• On arrival, choose which line your iPhone uses for data in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. If your home line stays on, you might still be charged roaming fees by your home carrier.
• Data Roaming on iPhone is under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. It lets you use data on networks outside your carrier's coverage.
• On Samsung Galaxy phones, add an eSIM in Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, by QR code or activation code. Even listed models may not support eSIM depending on country of origin.
• Pixel 7 and later can use two eSIM profiles at once. Google suggests using a prepaid international eSIM and activating it when you arrive to avoid roaming charges.