Bangladesh: Whether a person may apply for a new passport or renew or replace an existing passport while residing outside Bangladesh
The website of the Department of Immigration and Passports of Bangladesh states: "[a] Bangladeshi citizen living or travelling abroad can apply for [a] new passport or renewal of his/ her present passport to the consular wing of the respective Bangladesh mission" (Bangladesh n.d.a). The website also indicates that if an existing passport needs to be replaced because it has been lost or damaged, an application for a "duplicate" passport may be submitted to a mission abroad (ibid.).
However, in a 12 July 2010 posting, the website of the High Commission of Bangladesh in Ottawa states that, starting 1 April 2010, the government of Bangladesh is transitioning to a new Machine Readable Passport (MRP) which can be produced only in ten regional offices in Bangladesh (ibid. 12 July 2010). The High Commission notes that:
Until 31 March 2013, all Bangladesh Embassies and High Commissions abroad will issue the traditional hand written Emergency Passports. These Passports will be issued with only one-year (01 year) validity from the date of issue. (ibid.)
In addition, the High Commission notes that current passports "can also be renewed from all Bangladesh Embassies and High Commissions abroad until 31 March 2013" (ibid.).
The Bangladesh High Commission's website provides the following additional guidelines to applicants who want to apply for passports or replace lost or stolen passports:
- You have to submit a police report stating that you had lost the passport or your passport was stolen and you reported to police.
- You must submit some documents proving that you are a Bangladeshi national and your parents and relations are also from Bangladesh. You may attach birth certificate, academic certificates and other authentic documents as proof.
- Your regular application form for new passport must be submitted along with a Declaration (available on the website as part of the passport application form) to duly be filled-up and signed by two Bangladesh nationals of your acquaintance.
- Please attach photocopy of your previous passport, if available. It will expedite issuance of a new passport.
- You may be asked for an interview.
- Please note that you may not be issued with a passport of full validity. If you qualify, you may be issued with a passport with validity of 6 to 24 months only, which is to be renewed later (conditions apply). (ibid. n.d.b)
A section of the High Commission's website dealing with frequently asked questions (FAQ) provides the following details on renewing a passport:
- Please duly fill in the provided form available on our website. Enclose the fees. Please send a bank draft or money order in the name of The Bangladesh High Commission Ottawa. No cash or Personal Cheque is acceptable.
- Send a pre-paid and self addressed (your exact mailing address) Express Post envelope so that we can send back your passport. (ibid. n.d.c)
The FAQ section also provides the following details on replacing a lost passport:
You must have the photocopy of your lost passport. Fill-in the prescribed form and attach all documents as stated in the application form, including photocopies of your lost passport and the police report.
If you can not submit [a] photocopy of your lost passport, we will not be able to issue a new passport until it is verified by the authorities in Bangladesh i.e. we have to refer the matter to Dhaka. However, we can issue a Temporary Citizen – Identity Certificate free of charges in your favour which will be valid for 90 (ninety) days. In that case you still need to apply in the prescribed form for a new passport. (ibid.)
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Bangladesh. 12 July 2010. High Commission for Bangladesh in Ottawa. "News Details." <http://www.bdhc.org/index.php?go=news_details&nid=69> [Accessed 12 July 2010]
_____. N.d.a. Department of Immigration and Passports. "Passport Frequently Asked Question." <http://www.dip.gov.bd/?q=content/page/passport-frequently-asked-question> [Accessed 8 July 2010]
_____. N.d.b. High Commission for Bangladesh in Ottawa. "Guideline for a New Passport." <http://www.bdhc.org/print_new_passport_guide.php> [Accessed 12 July 2010]
_____. N.d.c. High Commission for Bangladesh in Ottawa. "FAQ." <http://www.bdhc.org/index.php?go=faq&page=2> [Accessed 19 July 2010]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: A representative of the High Commission of Bangladesh in Ottawa was unable to provide information within the time constraints of this Response.
Internet sources, including: Bangladesh – Embassy of Bangladesh, Washington, DC, Bangladesh – High Commission for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, London, Bangladesh – Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh – National Web Portal of Bangladesh.