The government is reviewing a proposal to reduce passport fees for Bangladeshis living abroad while continuing efforts to simplify passport services for migrant workers and expatriates, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in parliament today.
Responding to a starred tabled question from ruling party lawmaker Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1), the minister said that as of June 4, 2026, Bangladesh has a total of 25,433,063 active passport holders.
Regarding passport services for migrant workers, Salahuddin Ahmed said a proposal received from the Department of Immigration and Passports to lower passport fees for Bangladeshis residing overseas is currently under review by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The minister outlined several initiatives already undertaken to make passport services more accessible for expatriate Bangladeshis.
“Arrangements have been made to process passport applications through Mobile Enrolment Kits (MEK) in remote areas under Bangladesh missions abroad to facilitate passport applications by Bangladeshi citizens living overseas,” he told the House.
He added, “Initiatives have been taken to provide passport services to expatriate workers through outsourcing companies at Bangladesh missions abroad.”
o ensure faster passport delivery, the government is sending passports to Bangladeshi embassies and missions overseas through the international courier service FedEx.
The minister further said that steps are being taken to introduce home delivery services for passports through outsourcing companies to make passport collection easier for expatriates.
He also informed the parliament that the government has already arranged for the issuance of 10-year passports to all Bangladeshi citizens aged 18 years and above.
