What is a passport? How to do e-passport. E Passport fees and rules

We have been hearing about e-passport for some time now. The reason for this was the launch of e-passport in the last year, ie on July 20. But due to some problems that date was postponed. Finally, as one of the new additions of Mujib Year 2012, on January 22, 2021, the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally announced the inauguration of the e-passport program. From now on, any Bangladeshi receiving adult can apply for e-passport, subject to all conditions. Note that Bangladesh entered the era of e-passport as the first country in South Asia and the 120th country in the world. This technology was first introduced in Malaysia in 1997.

What is e-passport?

Simply put, the difference between an e- passport and a machine readable passport is a lot like an ATM card and a check book. Using a check such that the customer cannot withdraw money alone. This requires the seal, signature, etc. of more than one officer concerned. But customers can withdraw their money without the hassle of using ATM cards. The service of e-passport is a lot like ATM card.

An e-passport is a passport with an electronic microprocessor chip. Looking at the passport book at present, nothing can be understood. It looks a lot like an MRP passport. But the chip attached inside makes the main difference between the MRP (machine readable passport) and the E passport. This chip contains biometric information that carries all the information of the passport holder. It uses smart card technology with a microprocessor chip and antenna.

Currently, all the biometrics stored in the e-passport are the passport holder's photograph, 10 fingerprints and eye iris. Biometric verification is done through the Border or Electronic Border Control System. The data stored on the chip is verified through Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). It will have 3 types of passport holder photos, 10 fingerprints and Irish eye image.

What are the benefits of e-passport?

The biggest advantage of e-passport is that e-passport holders can use special e-gate to cross immigration very fast. That's why they don't have to stand in line for visa checking. This will end the immigration process very quickly. Note that this e-gate can only be used by e-passport holders

If the passport is kept at the designated place while standing near the e-gate, the photo will be taken automatically. After that the fingerprint will be examined easily. If there is no problem, the verification process will end very quickly. If there is any other problem, the red light will go on and the passport holder will not be allowed to cross the border until the problem is resolved.

Special e-gate for e-passport holders, which will reduce the hassle of immigration a lot

The system will be operated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). That is why the country's police administration, Interpol and various airport and land port authorities can easily verify all this information from the central database. This system has a 36-layer security system and no fake or problematic passport holder will be able to circumvent this security tactic. It can be said with certainty that this will greatly reduce the tendency of other crimes including terrorism.

E Passport validity, delivery time and fees

The general fee (15 days) for 5 years of 48 pages is three and a half thousand rupees.

Emergency fee (7 days) five and a half thousand rupees.

Very urgent fee (2 days) seven and a half thousand rupees.

48 page passport for 10 years general (15 days) fee five thousand rupees,

Emergency fee (7 days) seven thousand rupees

Urgent fee (2 days) nine thousand rupees.

Passport of 64 pages 5 years general fee five and a half thousand rupees,

The emergency fee is seven and a half thousand rupees

Urgent fee (2 days) 10 thousand rupees.

The general fee for 10 years of 74 pages is seven thousand rupees

Emergency fee (7 days) nine thousand rupees

Very urgent fee (2 days) 12 thousand rupees.

15% VAT will be added to this fee as usual .

What does it take to get an e-passport?

To apply for e-passport, the applicant will need the following paperwork

• E-passport application form
• National Identity Card (NID)
• Birth registration letter

The e-passport application form will be available on the official website in a few days, which can be downloaded in PDF format. The form must be filled according to the national identity card information. It will not require any photo or attestation. Ten fingerprints, Irish photograph and photograph of the applicant will be taken while submitting the application form to the designated passport office. After that, police verification will be required as usual. If the applicant is below 18 years of age, the national ID number of the father and mother must be given.

Government of Bangladesh has created a special website for e-passport where all the information will be available: https://epassport.gov.bd/landing

At the time of writing this blog, the work of the website was still going on.

What will happen to MRP (Machine Readable Passport)?

Now those who are using MRP will not have any problem. However, MRP will not be issued to anyone anew. This means that from now on those who will get a passport will get an e-passport directly. Thus, all MRP passports will be revoked in phases. Those whose MRP has expired will be given an e-passport after verifying all the information when they go to renew their passport.

I tried to share as much as I know about e-passport in today's blog. If anyone has any questions you can leave in the comments section. I will try to answer as soon as possible.