Online Desk  :   Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has issued a stern warning, saying that legal action will be taken against foreigners residing in Bangladesh without valid visas if they fail to regularise their status by January 31.  Speaking to reporters after visiting the Passport Office at Agargaon in Dhaka on Monday (January 6), the adviser also announced the government’s goal to fully introduce electronic passports (e-passports) by December 31 this year.

The government is working to transition all passports to electronic passports, said the adviser, adding, “We aim to complete this task within my tenure.” He emphasized the importance of improving passport services and pledged to expedite the processing time, acknowledging delays that applicants currently face.   Addressing concerns about the misuse of Bangladeshi passports, particularly by Rohingya individuals, the adviser assured that strict measures are in place to prevent such occurrences.

When asked about the potential removal of police verification for passport applications, he responded, “A final decision will be made after comprehensive discussions. We need to assess the benefits and challenges before implementing any changes.”  The adviser iterated that all foreign nationals must comply with visa regulations and that failure to do so by the January 31 deadline would result in legal consequences.   The government’s commitment to enhancing efficiency and security in passport issuance is expected to significantly benefit Bangladeshi citizens while ensuring stricter oversight of foreigners within the country.