Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The spread of technology and innovation has made life easier, saving more time and energy. The internet enhanced the usability and efficiency of technology, giving access to new opportunities. Currently, the e-passport facility of Bangladesh promotes the integration of modern technology with traditional style.
Technology has enabled the tracking of passports as they pass different stages of verification and authorization. Online e-passports can produce and provide passports most efficiently with the least amount of hassle. Here are three simple steps to get your e-passport:
Step 1
Google e-passport online registration portal. Fill in the information as per requirement and click on continue until you reach the end of the application.
You can go back and recheck any of the information filled in previously and correct them until you have finalized and submitted the application.
Step 2
Once the application is filled correctly, it is time to pay the passport fees. Passport fees vary depending on regular or express delivery and include 15% VAT.
E-passports with 64 pages or ten years of validity are more expensive than e-passports with 48 pages or five years of validity. The payment can be done through an online money transaction system as well as physically at banks.
Step 3
Book an appointment with the passport office at your convenience through the application. You will receive an email where all the necessary documents are listed that you must bring to the passport office.
Visit your selected passport office along with those documents for biometric enrolment on the appointed date.
During the appointment, you will get a delivery slip for the e-passport. After the verification process, you will be notified the passport is ready for collection.
As easy as it is to apply for an e-passport, there is always a place for mistakes. Therefore, knowing how to correct errors is important.
For instance, if you forget the password of your e-passport account, you can easily recover it by clicking on the 'Forgot Password' option that appears on the sign-in page. Enter your email address for an email recovery message and follow the instructions.
In case you want to change the mobile number registered in the online application account, click on the account name, select 'Account Data and enter the mobile number that you prefer to receive the notification. A specific mobile number can only be used for one e-passport online account.
Unlike phone numbers, the email address used for registration cannot be changed. If you misspell your email address or phone number during registration, you will not be able to get any updates.
One of the benefits of the online e-passport system is that you can reschedule an online appointment at the passport office. To reschedule online appointments, go to 'My Application' on your e-passport account. You can cancel and reschedule the appointment on the application summary page.
Many people need help with online payment through the e-challan payment portal. In the 'Application Summary,' if the application is shown as 'Submitted' and you choose to pay 'Online,' you can pay through mobile banking or use available money transaction methods such as Bkash, Nagad, etc.
In case of offline payment, print the 'Application Summary' where the payment is shown and take it with you when you visit the passport office for biometric enrollment.
Some information from your previous passport or NID may change over time, such as your present address or marital status. The new e-passport will be processed at the passport office of the present address. Therefore, provide the latest information in your application. If your given present address is different from where you actually live during the time you are applying, the application may get cancelled in case of police verification.
For certain information changes, documents need to be shown. For example, a marriage certificate in case of a change of marital status and a professional certificate in case of a change of profession.
Change of any name in consideration requires NID, and correction in date of birth requires BRC or previous passport, if there is any. The changes will be verified at the passport office during appointment day.
If you submit any incorrect data while the payment process is already completed, visit the passport office with the printed 'Application Summary' and make corrections with the help of the enrolment officer providing the required documents like NID or BRC and previous passport.
The photo for the passport is taken physically, and therefore, there is no need to provide pictures except for children up to five years of age. For passport applications of children below the age of 15, parents have to deliver their photos with the application.
There is no additional fee in case the passport validity date expires, only the fixed fee set for creating an e-passport. If you have lost your passport and want to collect the previous passport number, then communicate with the passport office immediately
The world is converging through globalization, and thus, experiencing new opportunities instead of holding onto the old ways can only linger for a time. To fully utilize the advantages of technological advancements, we need to get used to modern facilities.
The online application service is smart and helpful in every way. From online payment options to scheduling an appointment at the passport office, all can be done from home without facing too much hassle. Therefore, the convergence of IT systems with traditional styles made getting a passport easier and more convenient for everyone. Eventually, it will make our lives easier, faster, and smoother.