The Bangladesh passport is an official travel document issued by the Government of Bangladesh to its citizens for international travel. As of 2025, Bangladesh issues e-passports (electronic passports) equipped with biometric chips and enhanced security features. These passports are valid for travel to all countries of the world except Israel, as the government reinstated this restriction in April 2025, reflecting its diplomatic stance.
Significant reforms have been introduced to modernize and speed up the passport application process. Most notably, the government has abolished the requirement for police verification for both new passport applications and renewals. Instead, identity is now verified through digital NID and birth registration databases, resulting in faster processing times. Regular passport delivery now takes approximately 12 working days, while express service can deliver in 3 working days.
Additionally, the government has expanded services to offer home delivery of passports by postal service, making it easier for citizens to access their documents. Bangladeshi missions in 59 countries are also issuing e-passports, and by the end of 2025, all domestic and overseas missions are expected to phase out machine-readable passports (MRPs) entirely.
Furthermore, automated immigration e-gates are being installed at major airports and land ports to support biometric passport scanning and reduce wait times during immigration checks. Despite these advancements, the Bangladesh passport ranks relatively low in global mobility, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only about 40 countries, placing it near 100th in the world passport ranking index.
These updates are part of Bangladesh’s broader efforts to digitize citizen services, improve global mobility, and enhance border security through technological upgrades.
1. No more police verification
The government has abolished mandatory police verification for both new passports and renewals, relying instead on the National ID (NID) and birth registration databases for identity verification. This reform is official:
- A gazette notification removed the police report requirement, allowing instant issuance if records match the NID data
- Around 70,000 passports were held up due to police delays but have now been delivered after scrapping that step .
- The process is now much faster, with regular passports issued within 12 days and express within 3 days.
2. E‑Passport rollout & immigration tech
- Bangladesh launched e‑passports in all missions abroad (59 currently), and by December 31, 2025, aims to have e‑passports fully replace machine-readable ones domestically .
- Automated border control (“e‑gates”) are being installed at airports and land borders to enhance security and speed .
৪ লাখ কর্মী নেবে স্পেন।আবেদনের জন্য ক্লিক করুন
3. Home delivery of passports
- The option to receive your passport by post right at home has already begun, and the government aims for nationwide coverage .
4. “Except Israel” stamp reinstated
- In April 2025, the interim government re‑added the phrase “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel”, reflecting Bangladesh’s non‑recognition policy .
5. Passport strength & visa access
- Bangladesh slipped to around 100th place in the Henley Passport Index in early 2025, offering visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to just 40 countries .
Summary snapshot
| Feature | Status/Update (by June 2025) |
|---|---|
| Police verification | Removed; passport based on NID/birth registry |
| E‑Passport rollout | Available abroad (59 missions); nationwide by year-end |
| Home delivery | Live in some areas; expanding nationally |
| Automated gates | Being set up at airports and land posts |
| Israel exclusion | Reinstated in April 2025 |
| Passport ranking | Around 40 visa-free countries; 100th globally |
To apply for a Bangladeshi passport, the applicant must first decide whether they are applying for a new passport, a renewal, or a lost/damaged replacement. The process begins by visiting the official Bangladesh e-Passport website (www.epassport.gov.bd) and creating an account. Applicants then need to fill out the online application form, providing personal details, address, NID or birth registration number, and other required information. Once completed, the form must be submitted online, after which the applicant can schedule an appointment at the nearest passport office or regional passport center.
After booking the appointment, the next step involves paying the passport fee, which depends on the type of service selected—regular, express, or super express—and the validity period (either 5 years or 10 years). Payment can be made through various methods including bank, mobile banking, or online payment systems. Once payment is confirmed, applicants must print the application summary and bring it to the scheduled biometric appointment.
On the day of the appointment, applicants must visit the designated passport office with the printed application, original NID or birth certificate, payment slip, and any supporting documents (such as previous passport, if applicable). At the passport office, the applicant will go through a biometric enrollment process, which includes photo capture, fingerprint scans, and digital signature. No police verification is usually required now, as the process relies on digital records.
Once the biometric data is collected and the application is verified, the passport enters the production stage. Applicants can track their application status online using their reference number. Upon completion, they will be notified via SMS. The passport can then be collected in person or delivered by post (if home delivery was selected during application).
Overall, the process has become faster and more convenient with the removal of police verification, introduction of e-passports, and online tracking. It typically takes 12 working days for regular delivery, and as fast as 2–3 working days for express or super express services, depending on location.