New directive issued on re-issuance of lost, stolen passports

The government has issued new directives regarding the re-issuance of lost, stolen or damaged passports. Under the new rules, no additional penalty fee will have to be paid for the first time a passport is lost, stolen or damaged, beyond the fixed passport fee. However, for the second and each subsequent instance of a passport being lost, stolen or damaged, an additional penalty fee of Tk 10,000 will have to be paid along with the fixed fee.

These directives were given in a circular issued from the Immigration-4 branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nuruzzaman. The circular was published on Tuesday, September 22.

The circular stated that in recent times, a significant number of people within the country have been applying for re-issuance, declaring their passports lost, stolen or damaged. As a passport is a sensitive travel document, its misuse can create various security risks, including human trafficking, illegal infiltration and anti-state activities. The new directives were issued considering these matters.

According to the new rules, after a passport is lost, stolen or damaged, the matter must be reported immediately on the website or online system designated by the Department of Immigration and Passports. At the same time, a general diary (GD) must be filed at the nearest police station.

The concerned police station will verify the accuracy of the GD within 72 hours and send a report to the Department of Immigration and Passports or the nearest passport office. However, if the report is not received within 72 hours, a passport re-issuance application can be made by attaching a copy of the GD. The department will then complete the re-issuance process by issuing a 'lost circular'.

If, during verification of the GD, it is found that a passport was deposited with any person, institution or travel agency for the purpose of obtaining a visa and was illegally withheld and cannot be recovered immediately, then the previous passport can be revoked and a new passport issued.

If a passport is lost, stolen or damaged while abroad, it must be reported on the designated online system, as well as to the concerned Bangladesh embassy, high commission or consulate.

The concerned Bangladesh mission will complete the passport re-issuance process by issuing a 'lost circular' and send the necessary information to the concerned authorities.

After receiving information about a lost or stolen passport, the Special Branch will update the necessary information in their Immigration Management System (IMS). If necessary, Interpol will be informed and action taken as per the rules.

At the time of issuing a new passport, the data page will clearly state 'Previous Passport Is Reported To Be Lost'. At the same time, the 'lost/revoked' status of the previous passport must be updated in the relevant database.

After a passport reported lost or stolen is revoked, it cannot be reactivated or used for foreign travel even if it is subsequently found. If the passport is found, the concerned person must immediately inform the police station and the designated online system. If abroad, the concerned Bangladesh mission must also be informed.

In the case of re-issuance of a lost or stolen passport, the applicant's name, date of birth, father's name and mother's name, which are basic identity information, cannot be completely changed. However, the matter of correcting valid information through the correction process approved as per laws and rules will be considered separately.

If the identifiable part of a partially damaged or destroyed passport is in the applicant's possession, a new passport can be issued on the basis of surrendering it. However, if the passport is completely destroyed and no part can be shown to identify the applicant, the directives applicable to a lost passport must be followed.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the new directive was issued by consolidating and amending previous circulars, orders and directives regarding the re-issuance of lost, stolen or damaged passports. It will take effect from the date of issuance of the circular.