Police Verification to Be Removed from Passport Issuance Process in Bangladesh
Police Verification to Be Removed from Passport Issuance Process in Bangladesh. According to a government announcement, Bangladesh is planning to eliminate police verification from the passport application process as a measure to simplify it. For millions of Bangladeshi citizens, this development will significantly reduce delays and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.
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Why Removing Police Verification Matters
For years, police verification for passport applications has been a routine but time-consuming and often frustrating step. Many applicants experienced unnecessary delays, complications, and even reported issues of harassment or informal payments to expedite the verification.
With the decision to abolish police verification from passport processing, Bangladesh is moving toward a more digitally streamlined, corruption-free, and citizen-friendly system.
Government’s Official Statement
According to the latest update from the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP), the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that police clearance will no longer be required for most categories of passport applicants, particularly for:
- First-time applicants
- Ordinary machine-readable passport (MRP) seekers
- Renewal of expired passports
However, in special or high-risk cases, authorities may still conduct background checks using their internal databases and intelligence systems.
Expected Benefits of This Decision
Removing the police verification requirement from passport procedures is expected to result in the following benefits:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Faster Passport Issuance | Time previously spent on police clearance will now be saved |
| Reduced Corruption | No more informal payments to police officers for verification |
| Improved Citizen Satisfaction | Less hassle and more transparency in the passport system |
| Digital Integration | Data sharing between NID, Birth Registration, and DIP systems |
| Cost-Effective Process | Applicants no longer need to bear extra verification-related expenses |
Digital Systems Will Replace Police Checks
The DIP and Election Commission (EC) are working together to integrate their systems, so that verification can be done automatically using data from:
- National Identity (NID) cards
- Birth registration databases
- Biometric data
- Criminal records (if any)
This system will make the process secure, digital, and paperless, helping to ensure that passports are issued only to genuine applicants—without needing physical police visits.
Public Response to the Reform
The general public has responded positively to the government’s reform. Social media users, applicants, and civil society groups have welcomed the removal of police verification, calling it a people-centric initiative. Many believe this decision aligns with Digital Bangladesh Vision 2041 and the broader goal of minimizing public harassment in government services.
Who Will Still Need Police Verification?
While most people will benefit from this change, certain categories may still undergo scrutiny, such as:
- Passport applicants with pending criminal cases
- Individuals flagged by intelligence agencies
- Foreign nationals applying from Bangladesh
- Diplomatic passport applicants How to Apply for a Passport Now (Without Police Verification)
Here is a simplified step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Bangladeshi passport in 2025 under the new system:
- Register Online via the DIP official portal: www.passport.gov.bd
- Fill Out the Form with personal details, NID/Birth certificate, and biometrics
- Upload Documents such as photos, birth certificate, and NID copy
- Pay the Passport Fee via online or bank payment options
- Visit Passport Office for biometrics and document submission
- Wait for Delivery, as the process is now faster without police verification
Passport Fees in Bangladesh (2025)
| Type of Passport | Delivery Time | Fee (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (48 pages) | 21 working days | 3,500 |
| Express (48 pages) | 10 working days | 6,000 |
| Super Express (48 pages) | 2 working days | 7,500 |
FAQs: Police Verification to Be Removed from Passport
1. Is Police Verification Required for all Passport Applicants in Bangladesh?
Police verification is no longer required for most ordinary passport applicants as of 2025. There may still be cases where it applies.
2. Can I Still Apply for a Passport Online?
Passport applications remain entirely online, and the new system is even more efficient without requiring physical police visits.
3. How long will Passport Delivery Take Now?
Delivery should take 7 to 21 working days without police verification, depending on the service you choose (regular, express, or super express).
Conclusion
The decision to remove police verification from the passport process in Bangladesh is a major step toward modernizing public services, ensuring faster processing, and eliminating room for delays and corruption. This reform is not only a technical upgrade but a trust-building measure that shows the government’s commitment to Digital Bangladesh and efficient governance.