E-passport from Wednesday

The government will formally introduce electronic passports (e-passport) on Wednesday. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will launch the e-passport at a programme to be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on the day.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Sunday. 

According to source, Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) would initially distribute e-passports from its Agargaon, Jatrabari, and Uttara offices and later from its offices across the country.

There are more than 100 states and non-state entities currently issuing the e-passport, and over 490 million e-passports are in circulation.

The e-passport adds a layer of security to traditional non-electronic passport by embedding an electronic chip in the passport booklet that stores the biographical information visible on page 2 of the passport, as well as a digital security feature.