Bangladesh has made great strides towards modernizing itself by implementing e-passports, to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology. An E-passport (electronic passport) is a smart biometric passport containing an RFID chip with information about the passport owner to ensure a safe and effective journey. If you agree to apply for an e-passport in Bangladesh, this blog is for you, and you need to know what for and you how for.
What Is an E-Passport?
An e-passport is a type of passport that is not just ordinary but has biometric stamping included for enhanced security, speed, and portability. It has a chip in the passport that has an embedded microprocessor which processes personal and sometimes even biometric data like fingerprints, picture, and even the eye retina of the person. This ensures the security of the information and limits the possibility of the documents being forged or abused.
Benefits of E-Passport Bangladesh
The e-passport Bangladesh has several advantages such as:
Improved Security System: It obtains more safety features as compared to conventional paper-based passports because of bio-metrics and chip based security.
Quick Immigration Procedures: E-passport holders are now free to move through automated gates as the system is able to read their visas on e-passports or other travel documents.
International Certification: Countries such as those in Europe and Canada have been issuing e-passports to its citizens in relation to visa free travel that other countries are taking up Bangladesh is on the same line.
Online Application: An e-passport may be applied for over the internet which helps to ease your work.
How to Apply for E-Passport in Bangladesh?
The e-passport application process in Bangladesh is quite simple. Follow these steps:
Visit the official website: Go to the e-passport official portal at www.epassport.gov.bd and create an account to start your application.
Fill out the application form: After logging in, complete the e-passport application form Bangladesh by providing your personal details, passport type, and other required information.
Book an appointment: Once the form is filled, you need to book an appointment to submit your biometrics which consist of fingerprints, photographs, and an iris scan. Choose a location near you, whether it is in Dhaka, and Chattogram or Sylhet cities.
Pay the e-passport fee: Fees will depend on the passport whether it is a regular, urgent or express passport, the pages of the passport 48, 64 or 128 maximum. One may pay the e-passport fee online through the e-challan or at specific banks.
Submit the documents: Go to your assigned passport office on the day of your appointment with the print out of the application forms and other documents to be submitted.
Track your application: You can follow the progress of your application via e-passport application status check service provided on www.e-passport.gov.bd by using e passport check.
E-Passport Fees and What Options are there to pay for them
Understanding the various fee structures and methods of payment accepted when applying for an e-passport in Bangladesh is critical. In the table below are the e-passport fee status, the delivery schedule, and payment modes available for the e-passports.
e-Premium Services Payment Modes
You may pay for your e-passport via any of the following::
Online payment mode
Payments can be done easily through the platform called “ekpay”, where you can use any of the following modes of payment:
Credit/ Debit cards: VISA, Master card, American express
Mobile Payment: bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Upay
E-wallets: Dmoney, OK Wallet
From Banks: Bank Asia, BRAC Bank, EBL, City Bank, UCB, AB Bank, DBBL, Midland Bank, MBL Rainbow
You can check and download the eChalan from the above web links if you need to check and download the online payment slip.
Offline payment mode
If intending to pay offline, payments can be made at any government or private bank through the use of an A-Challan.
In payments made through offline methods, the users can avail of the A-Challan for payment self-billing with the help of the links provided.
Delivery Timelines
Regular Delivery- Offered in 15 working days or 21 days of calendar counting from the biometric enrolment date.
Express Delivery- Offered in ten calendar counting from the poledate seven working days.
Super Express Delivery- Available in two working day from the biometric enrolment date.
Note: Special Delivery Options where Government employees holding a NOC, No Objection Certificate or retirement documents can avail.
Regular charges for Express delivery.
Express fees for Super express delivery.
e-Passport Fees for Applicants Inside Bangladesh Including 15% VAT
48 Pages, 5 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: TK 4,025
- Express Delivery: TK 6,325
- Super Express Delivery: TK 8,625
48 Pages, 10 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: TK 5,750
- Express Delivery: TK 8,050
- Super Express Delivery: TK 10,350
64 Pages, 5 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: TK 6,325
- Express Delivery: TK 8,625
- Super Express Delivery: TK 12,075
64 Pages, 10 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: TK 8,050
- Express Delivery: TK 10,350
- Super Express Delivery: TK 13,800
e-Passport Fees of General applicants (Bangladesh Missions):
48 Pages, 5 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: USD 100
- Express Delivery: USD 150
48 Pages, 10 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: USD 125
- Express Delivery: USD 175
64 Pages, 5 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: USD 150
- Express Delivery USD 200
64 Pages, 10 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: USD 175
- Express Delivery: USD 225
e-Passport Fees for Workers and students (Bangladesh Missions)
- 48 Pages, 5 Years Validity:
- Regular Delivery: USD 30
- Express Delivery: USD 45
- 48 Pages, 10 Years Expiry Date:
- Regular Delivery: USD 50
- Express: USD 75
- 64 Pages, 5 Years Expiry Date:
- Regular Delivery: USD 150
- Express Delivery: USD 200
- 64 Pages, 10 Years Expiry Date:
- Regular Delivery: USD 175
- Express: USD 225
How to Verify an E-Passport Status Online ?
To check status of any e-passport: You can visit official Pocacoms website: www.epassport.gov.bd also
Find the section ‘e passport check status’ and type your application number to check whether your passport is being processed or not.
In addition, you may refer to e passport status check by SMS services. You just need to SMS in a particular format and whereafter the current status of the passport application will be sent to you.
E-Passport Services Within Dhaka and Chattogram Centre
Issuance of passports to prospective applicants who reside in Dhaka or Chattogram are facilitated by utilizing the e passport check online near dhaka or e passport check online near chattogram services to track the application or schedule an appointment at the nearest passport office.
Countries Recognizing E-Passport from Bangladesh
Certain nations make it a necessity for the travelers to hold e-passports in order to acquire visa on arrival or refrain from acquiring a visa altogether. Some of the e visa countries for the Bangladesh passport holders are:
- Japan
- Malaysia
Again, there are countries like Malaysia that provide e visa facilitation to Bangladeshi passport holders. From Pakistan, it is possible to obtain Malaysia e visa for Pakistani passport type of services.
Grab the Brief
The e-passport Bangladesh program is indeed a wonderful step forward in the evolution of travel for the citizens of Bangladesh. As the safety, ease of use and worldwide reach of e passports increases simengen agreement is applying for your e passport Poland. Further details can be found online at www.epassport.gov.bd where application can be accessed.
