The e-gate system for passengers with electronic passports at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka will be operational within the next few days, said Home Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
The e-gate installation has been completed, and authorities are aiming to make them operational shortly.
“We expect the e-gates to open in the next two to four days. Passengers will be able to enter simply by scanning their passports,” the adviser said during a press briefing on Monday afternoon at the Secretariat, following a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order.
He added that by December, all Bangladeshis living abroad will be issued electronic passports (e-passports), enabling them to use the automated e-gate system with ease.
E-gates are designed to allow passengers to complete immigration independently and swiftly. Once a traveller places their e-passport on the scanner and stands in the designated spot, the system verifies the identity via facial recognition, opening the gate within seconds if all checks are clear.
In a significant development for the Bangladeshi diaspora, the adviser also announced that passport fees for expatriate workers, whom he referred to as “remittance warriors”, will be reduced.
“Currently, migrant workers often pay more for passports than others. We are going to fix that disparity. Fees will be made equal,” he said.
While acknowledging the vital contribution of migrant workers to the national economy, the adviser noted that they are not always treated with the respect they deserve. “We often refer to them as remittance warriors, but many don’t receive the level of service and dignity they should,” he said.
The planned fee reduction will apply to all countries, according to Home Adviser. “Bangladeshis live in many countries. We’ll assess how much we can reduce the fees across different regions,” he added.
The government is also working to ensure that expatriates receive improved services both during air travel and after landing at airports in Bangladesh.
