If your Bangladeshi passport is about to expire, or you just need a new booklet with extra blank pages, the e-passport renewal process in Bangladesh is totally online from start to finish, except for a quick visit to a passport office to give your fingerprints and photo. The system is operated via the official portal of the Department of Immigration and Passports(DIP), and the majority of the applicants can renew without an agent or middleman. This guide takes you through the documents, fees and steps.
Why You Should Renew Your e-Passport
Bangladesh has almost abandoned the old handwritten and machine-readable passports. When your old passport expires or runs out of blank visa pages, the government does not really “ renew “ it. Instead, you are issued a brand new e-passport and the old passport is cancelled. It’s officially called “re-issue” but most people just call it passport renewal. Many countries also insist that you have at least six months validity left on your passport before they will let you in, so it is wise to start your renewal when you still have about a year left, rather than waiting until the last month.
Documents Required
With a first-time application, there’s more paperwork than a renewal, because your details are already on file. Have these ready before you start:
•Your valid or expired passport (original and photocopy of first and last pages)
•National ID Card or NID, as your application details should be exactly the same Birth
•Registration Certificate for children under 18, in place of NID
•GD (General Diary) at the local police station if you lost or damaged your old passport.
•A recent passport-sized photograph, though most offices now take this digitally at the appointment
•Print of your online application summary and appointment letter
•Proof of fee payment like your A-Challan or online payment receipt
Cost of Bangladesh e-Passport Renewal
Fees are based on three things: the number of pages in your booklet, the duration of validity, and the speed of delivery. Prices below include VAT and are the normal rates within Bangladesh, however these are subject to change on the DIP portal so it is worth checking on the official site before you pay.
About 4,025 taka for regular delivery, about 6,325 taka for express 64 pages, 5 years: about 6,325 taka for regular delivery, about 8,625 taka for express 48 pages, 10 years: about 5,750 taka for regular delivery, about 8,050 taka for express 64 pages, 10 years: about 8,050 taka for regular delivery, about 10,350 taka for express Children under 18 are only eligible for the 48-page, 5-year passport. If you need a passport urgently, there is a faster service called Super Express available at some offices including Agargaon in Dhaka, which can issue a passport in as little as two working days but costs a lot more.
Step By Step Process For Online Renewal
•Visit the official e-Passport portal and register your email and phone number.
•Complete the renewal application form with your personal information as it appears on your current passport and NID.
•Select your booklet size, validity period and delivery speed.
•Make your payment online or generate a bank payment slip.
•Print your appointment letter and summary
Visit your Regional Passport Office on the allotted date with your original documents for verification and biometric enrolment which includes finger prints, an iris scan and a digital photo.You can check the status of your application at any time using the online tracking tool on the portal.
Pay the renewal fee
Bangladesh’s passport system is designed for a mobile-first population, in which many people are more comfortable with a mobile wallet than a visit to a bank branch. You can pay through an A-Challan at Sonali Bank, One Bank or Premier Bank or pay directly online through bKash, Nagad, Rocket or a debit or credit card. The mobile financial services are governed by the rules set by Bangladesh Bank, which means transactions are tracked and a digital receipt is generated automatically, which can be useful proof if there is ever a dispute over payment.
Time taken to process and collect
In Bangladesh we usually deliver within 15 to 21 working days. Express takes about a week and Super Express can be as fast as two working days at some Dhaka offices. Police verification can sometimes take additional time, so if you have a trip coming up, build in a buffer. When ready, go to the same office where you enrolled to collect your new passport and delivery slip (along with the original old passport).
Mistakes to Avoid
•Entering details that do not match exactly with your NID, which delays you
•Applying only after the passport has already expired
•Failure to submit a GD before applying for a lost/damaged passport
•You can skip the printed appointment letter while visiting the passport office.
Renewing your e-passport in Bangladesh doesn’t have to be stressful if you prepare your documents early, double check the fee for your chosen booklet and validity and keep your payment receipt safe until you collect your new passport.
Summary
This guide explains how to renew your e-passport in Bangladesh through the official online portal. It covers required documents, current fees by page and validity, payment methods including bKash and Nagad, and how long the process takes.
