Bangladesh NEIR Phone Registration: IMEI Rules for UK Visitors

Bangladesh now checks every phone on its mobile networks against the BTRC's National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). A phone bought in the UK that is used with a Bangladeshi SIM is not registered automatically, and reports say it needs a "special registration" on the NEIR portal within about 30 days or it can be blocked. A travel eSIM avoids the local SIM step for a normal family visit, though BTRC has not published clear guidance on roaming connections.

Last checked: 15 October 2026. Bangladesh's rules have changed several times since 2021, and sources disagree on some deadlines. Check the official NEIR portal, the BTRC website and GOV.UK Bangladesh travel advice before you go.

NEIR in Bangladesh: the short answer

• What it is: a central list of approved phone IMEI numbers, run by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
• Who it affects: anyone using a phone on a Bangladeshi SIM (Grameenphone, Robi, Airtel, Banglalink or Teletalk).
• Phones from abroad: they connect at first, but must be registered through "special registration". Most reports give a 30-day window.
• Unregistered phones: are treated as illegal and can be cut off from Bangladeshi networks.
• Travel eSIMs and UK roaming: NEIR guidance focuses on handsets used with Bangladeshi SIMs. BTRC has not clearly said how it treats roaming connections, so we cannot promise it never will.

What changed with NEIR

Bangladesh first tried to switch on NEIR in 2021, then paused it. The system was relaunched at the end of 2025, with blocking of unofficial handsets reported to start around the turn of 2026. The aim is to stop smuggled, cloned and stolen phones, and to make sure import taxes are paid on handsets.

Phones that were sold officially in Bangladesh, or already in use on a biometric SIM before the cut-off, were registered automatically. New phones joining a Bangladeshi network after the launch are checked as they connect. Each registered handset is also paired with the SIM registered to its owner, so changing SIMs may mean registering the new pairing.

Registering a UK phone on NEIR

If you are visiting family and plan to buy a Bangladeshi SIM, you will need to register your phone yourself. Based on BTRC's published process and Bangladeshi press coverage:

1. Find your IMEI by dialling *#06#. Dual SIM and eSIM phones have two IMEIs; note both.
2. Check its status by texting KYD followed by a space and the IMEI to 16002 from a Bangladeshi number, or use the check on the NEIR portal.
3. On the NEIR portal, choose Special Registration, enter the IMEI and upload your documents.
4. Keep the confirmation. The phone should stay connected once the registration is approved.

Documents usually asked for are your passport photo page, the page with your latest Bangladesh entry stamp, and a purchase receipt or gift declaration for the phone. Officials have advised travellers to carry proof of purchase for this reason.

How long do visitors have?

This is the part that is not settled. Most Bangladeshi news reports, quoting BTRC, say a phone brought from abroad must complete special registration within 30 days, either from entry into Bangladesh or from first connecting to a local network. Some older reports gave 10 days, and at least one 2026 guide claims visitors can use a phone for up to 60 days without registering. We would plan on 30 days and register as soon as you have a local SIM.

How many phones can you bring?

Customs allowances are separate from NEIR. Reports from Bangladesh say travellers can bring two phones without tax, and expatriate workers with a BMET card can bring three. More than that may need customs duty paid, and a customs certificate may then be needed for registration. Phones you bring as gifts for relatives still need to be registered before they work on a Bangladeshi SIM.

NEIR and your options compared

Why a travel eSIM helps on a visit home

For a family visit of a few weeks, most people need data for WhatsApp, maps and ride apps more than a Bangladeshi number. A travel eSIM gives you that without the SIM counter and NEIR paperwork for a local SIM.

• Install before you fly. You download the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and turn it on when you land in Dhaka, Sylhet or Chattogram.
• Keep your UK number. Your UK SIM stays in the phone for bank texts, and your WhatsApp account stays on your UK number.
• Share your connection. Most phones can share their data as a hotspot with a laptop or a relative's phone.

Be clear about the limits. SimplySIM eSIMs for Bangladesh are data only, with no Bangladeshi number. The roaming connection runs over local networks, so coverage in rural areas is the same as for local users. And as BTRC has not set out how roaming fits into NEIR, if you stay for months rather than weeks, check the rules again before you rely on any foreign SIM or eSIM.

SimplySIM plans for Bangladesh

Fixed-data plans run on Banglalink 4G and unlimited plans on Grameenphone 4G. Prices were checked on 15 October 2026 and can change; the product page shows the current price.

All plans are on our Bangladesh eSIM page. If you are not sure how much data to buy, a week of daily WhatsApp video calls and maps typically uses 3GB to 5GB.

Checklist before you fly to Bangladesh

• Check your phone supports eSIM and is network unlocked on our device compatibility page.
• Install your eSIM before you leave; our guide on when to install a travel eSIM explains the timing.
• Note both IMEIs (*#06#) and photograph the phone's receipt.
• Bringing phones as gifts? Pack the receipts and allow time for your relatives to register them.
• If you buy a local SIM, do the NEIR special registration straight away rather than waiting for the deadline.
• Only use the official neir.btrc.gov.bd portal. Do not pay agents who offer to "unblock" phones.

FAQs

Will my UK phone work in Bangladesh?

Yes on your UK SIM or a travel eSIM, as long as it supports the local bands, which all recent iPhones and Android flagships do. On a Bangladeshi SIM, it needs NEIR special registration to keep working.

How do I check if my phone is registered on NEIR?

Text KYD, a space and your IMEI to 16002 from a Bangladeshi number, or use the check on neir.btrc.gov.bd.

Does NEIR apply to travel eSIMs?

BTRC's published guidance focuses on phones used with Bangladeshi SIMs and does not clearly cover roaming. We have not seen reports of travel eSIM users being blocked, but the rules could change, so check before a long stay.

Can I register a phone I am giving to a relative?

Yes. It needs special registration with proof of purchase, and it is then paired with your relative's registered SIM.

Does a SimplySIM eSIM give me a Bangladeshi number?

No, our Bangladesh eSIMs are data only. You can keep using WhatsApp on your UK number over the eSIM's data.