The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines for reissuance of lost, stolen or destroyed passports. According to the new rules, it has been made mandatory to report online for reissuance after the passport is lost or stolen. At the same time, a penalty fee of 10,000 taka will have to be paid in addition to the prescribed fee for the second or subsequent loss, theft or destruction of the passport.
A circular in this regard was issued by the Immigration-4 branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 21. The circular, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nuruzzaman, has given a total of 12 instructions regarding the reissue of lost, stolen or destroyed passports.
The circular states that the loss, theft or destruction of a passport must be reported immediately to the designated website or online of the Immigration and Passport Department. Based on that report, the department will update the status of the passport.
Apart from this, a General Diary (GD) has to be filed at the nearest police station. The concerned police station will verify the accuracy of the GD within 72 hours and send the report to the Passport Directorate or the concerned passport office. If the report is not received within the stipulated time, a passport reissue application can be made by providing a copy of the GD. After that, the Directorate will issue a ‘Lost Circular’ and complete the reissue process.
If the GD verification proves that the passport has been submitted to an individual, organization, or travel agency for a visa and has been illegally withheld, in which case, if it is not possible to return it immediately, the previous passport can be revoked and a new passport can be issued.
As soon as information about lost or stolen passports is received, the Special Branch of the Police will update it in the Immigration Management System (IMS). Interpol will also be informed as necessary.
If your passport is lost, stolen or destroyed while abroad, you should report it online and also inform the relevant Bangladesh embassy, high commission or consulate. The relevant mission will issue a ‘Lost Circular’ and complete the passport reissue process.
Special arrangements have also been made for the issuance of new passports. If a new passport is issued to replace a lost, stolen or destroyed passport, the data page will contain a note stating ‘passport lost’. At the same time, the database will have to be updated with the information about the loss or cancellation of the previous passport.
During re-issue, the basic identity information of the applicant, name, date of birth, father’s name and mother’s name, cannot be completely changed. However, the matter of corrections permitted under the law and rules can be considered separately. The circular also provides instructions in the case of partially damaged passports. If the identifiable part of the passport is with the applicant, it can be re-issued on the basis of surrender.
However, if it is completely destroyed and no identifiable part can be shown, the guidelines applicable to lost passports must be followed. If a passport is reported lost or stolen and is cancelled, it cannot be reactivated or used for international travel, even if it is later found.
If such a passport is found, the person concerned should immediately report it to the nearest police station and the website of the Passport Department. If abroad, the relevant Bangladesh mission should be informed.
New instructions have also been issued regarding fines in case of loss or theft of passport. If the passport is lost, stolen or destroyed for the first time, no additional penalty fee will be paid beyond the prescribed passport fee. However, for each subsequent loss, theft or destruction, a penalty fee of Tk 10,000 will be paid in addition to the prescribed fee.
The circular states that the new circular has been issued by coordinating and amending all previous circulars, orders and instructions in this regard. It will be effective from the date of issuance, September 21. The circular has been issued through memorandum number 1197 of the Immigration-4 branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs.