Bangladesh Machine Readable Passport

All citizens of Bangladesh have the right to apply to the government for a passport, which will allow them to travel internationally and then return to their home country. The Machine Readable Passport, or MRP, has some built-in technological features which allow information to be read by computers as well as in person. This type of passport is also commonly referred to as a biometric passport. Machine readable passports were introduced in Bangladesh in 2010. The passport is green in colour for most people, although other colours exist for specific groups such as diplomats. Information inside the passport, as well as the text on the cover, is written in both Bengali and English.

As with passports of other countries, a Bangladesh passport is a key identity document and a widely accepted form of identification even when not travelling internationally. Along with a digitally printed photograph of the holder, the passport contains lots of other information about the holder such as their place and date of birth, sex, signature and details of spouse and parents. Biometric passports make it easier for immigration officials around the world to check that the person presenting themselves at passport control is legally entitled to travel.

Applying for a Bangladeshi MRP – Who Qualifies?

There are several groups of people who may qualify to apply for a Bangladesh passport. The first group is obviously Bangladeshi citizens; people who were born there, grew up there, live there and work there. Other people may qualify too. In recent years, the government of Bangladesh has been encouraging investors from around the world into the country to set up businesses and support the economy. After a set period, investors are free to apply for citizenship and a passport, should they wish to do so. There are also several other routes to becoming a naturalised Bangladesh citizen, such as living in the country for a set period as a worker, or marrying a Bangladeshi national.

People who are classed as “Bangladeshi by descent” may also qualify for a Bangladesh passport. These people could be living anywhere in the world, with a parent who was a citizen of Bangladesh at the time of their birth. This covers a large number of people whose parents moved from Bangladesh for work many decades ago, and had their children before taking on full citizenship of the country they moved to. Dual nationality – holding a Bangladesh passport and one from another country too – is permitted under Bangladesh law, but may be forbidden by the other country.

Getting a Bangladeshi Passport

The easiest way to apply for a Bangladesh passport is online, through the government’s official portal. This can be used by both people who are currently resident in Bangladesh, and people who are living elsewhere in the world too. Applicants must first register for a username and a password, which lets you log into the website and start filling in the application form. You can also download the form from the website and complete it in paper format, should you prefer. Forms can be completed in either Bengali or English.

Information Required

Before sitting down to apply for your passport, first take some time to gather together the information you will need when completing the form. The form starts by asking about your basic personal details such as name, date of birth and address. You will also have to give the names and dates of birth of your parents. The passport office will also ask about what other forms of identity you have, such as birth certificate, a tax identification number document if you live in Bangladesh, or other official documents which prove your links to Bangladesh.

If you currently live in a country other than Bangladesh, local High Commissions and Embassies around the world manage passport applications. If you have not held a Bangladeshi passport before, then you will be required to make an appointment at one of the Bangladeshi High Commission offices locally. In the UK, there are offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Biometric Enrolment

Bangladeshi passports are biometric, which means that they contain digital details of the holder’s facial features, finger prints and signature. As these features are recorded during the enrolment appointment, each applicant must attend in person. After the local passport office has confirmed the identity details and documentation which each applicant has provided, passports are sent off to Dhaka for processing and printing. Once issued, passports are sent back to the local High Commission or Consulate. They must be collected in person by the applicant, or by someone with written authorisation to collect on their behalf. This whole process usually takes around 6 weeks, but can take longer at peak times.

Passport Fees

The fee you pay for your passport will depend on the type of passport being issued. Fees are set in local currency. If you are applying from outside Bangladesh, you will pay in local currency, converted from the Bangladeshi rate. A standard 48 page, 10 year passport costs 5,000 taka, around £50. There is the option in some cases to pay extra for an express service, but the fastest service is only available for passport renewals, not first applications. You can pay the fees online using a debit or credit card. The same fees apply whether you are applying for a passport for the first time, or for a renewal passport.

Visa Requirements

Having a Bangladeshi passport makes travel into the country far more straightforward for people who currently reside overseas. A passport doesn’t however mean the right to travel freely without a visa to all countries. People who live in Bangladesh and wish to travel to countries such as the UK or USA will need a visa in most cases. This has to be done through the Embassy or High Commission of the country you wish to visit, before booking your flights. Depending on the country you wish to visit, you may be able to secure a visa on arrival for short visits rather than applying in advance.