A proposal to reduce passport fees for Bangladeshis is currently under government review, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament on Wednesday.
The minister also said various initiatives are ongoing to make passport services easier and more accessible for migrant workers and expatriates.
Responding to a starred question from Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon, the home minister said the number of active passport holders in the country stood at 2,54,33,063 as of 4 June 2026.
To simplify passport applications for Bangladeshi citizens living abroad, arrangements have been made to accept applications through Mobile Enrolment Kits (MEKs) at Bangladesh missions in remote areas of various countries, the minister said.
Initiatives have also been taken to provide passport services to expatriate workers through outsourcing firms at Bangladesh missions.
The government is sending passports to Bangladesh embassies and missions abroad through international courier service FedEx to ensure faster delivery, the minister added.
Additionally, initiatives are being taken to introduce home delivery of passports through outsourcing firms to make passport collection easier for expatriates.
The home minister further informed parliament that arrangements have already been made to issue 10-year validity passports for all Bangladeshi citizens aged 18 and above. The proposal to reduce fees is currently being reviewed by the Home Ministry.
