How to get a passport if it is lost.
Recently, there has been an increase in applications for reissue in cases of lost, stolen or damaged passports. To avoid such a situation, the government has issued new instructions. According to the new rules, there will be no additional fine if the passport is lost for the first time. However, if the same incident occurs for the second time or later, a fine of ten thousand taka will have to be paid each time. Recently, a circular was issued in this regard from the four immigration branches of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It says that it is now mandatory to report a passport online after it is lost or stolen. Information must be submitted on the designated website of the Immigration and Passport Department. After that, the concerned authorities will update the status of the passport. In addition, a general diary or GD must be filed with the nearest police station as before. The GD information is supposed to be verified and a report sent within seventy-two hours. However, if the report is not received within the specified time, a reissue application can also be made by submitting a copy of the GD.
After verification, the Passport Department will issue a lost circular. Then the process of issuing a new passport will begin. If information about the lost passport is received, necessary changes will also be made in the immigration system. After submitting the passport for visa processing to a travel agency or organization, if it is stuck, the matter will be verified. If necessary, arrangements can be made to cancel the previous passport and issue a new passport.
If the passport is lost or damaged while abroad, the Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission should be informed along with the online report. The necessary arrangements will be made to complete the process of issuing a new passport. The new passport will contain the information of the previous lost passport. The data page will be written that the previous passport has been reported as lost. At the same time, the information of the old passport will be stored in the data base as lost or revoked.
The applicant's name, date of birth, father's and mother's names cannot be completely changed during passport reissue. However, the issue of corrections permitted according to the law will be considered separately. If the passport is partially damaged, it can be submitted and a new passport can be obtained. But if it is completely damaged and there is no part to identify the identity, the rules for lost passports must be followed.
Even if a cancelled passport is recovered later, it cannot be used to travel. To deactivate it, you have to inform the concerned authority or police station. In addition, you have to inform the Immigration and Passport Department online. If you are abroad, you have to inform the concerned Bangladesh mission. Then, the database and immigration alert will be updated as needed. This new rule has been effective from September 21.
Posted Using INLEO