Reissue of Lost Passport Comes with Tk 10,000 Fine

The Bangladesh government has introduced new rules for the reissue of passports that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Under the new guidelines, applicants who lose, have their passport stolen, or damage it for a second time or more will have to pay an additional Tk 10,000 penalty fee along with the applicable passport reissue fee.

The new instructions were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a circular dated September 21, 2026, and the rules became effective from the date of issuance.

Tk 10,000 Penalty from the Second Incident

Under the new rules, there is no additional penalty beyond the regular passport fee if a passport is lost, stolen, or damaged for the first time.

However, from the second occurrence onward, applicants will have to pay an additional Tk 10,000 penalty for each incident, in addition to the applicable passport fee.

This means applicants should take extra care of their passports, as repeated loss, theft, or damage will result in additional financial charges.

Online Reporting Is Now Mandatory

The new circular makes it mandatory to report a lost or stolen passport through the designated online system of the Department of Immigration and Passports as soon as possible.

After receiving the report, the passport authorities will update the status of the passport in their system.

Applicants must also file a General Diary (GD) at the nearest police station.

According to the new instructions, the concerned police station is expected to verify the GD and send its report to the relevant passport authority within 72 hours. If the verification report is not received within the specified period, the applicant may proceed with the reissue application using a copy of the GD.

What Happens After Reporting a Lost Passport?

Once a passport is reported lost or stolen, the authorities will take steps to update its status and prevent further use.

The police Special Branch will update information about the lost or stolen passport in the Immigration Management System (IMS). Where necessary, the information may also be communicated to INTERPOL.

A "lost circular" may also be issued as part of the reissue process.

Rules for Passports Lost Abroad

Bangladeshi citizens who lose, damage, or have their passports stolen while staying abroad must report the incident through the prescribed online system.

They must also inform the relevant Bangladesh Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate.

The concerned Bangladesh mission will take the necessary steps, including issuing a lost circular and processing the passport reissue according to the applicable procedure.

A Lost Passport Cannot Be Used Again

One important point in the new guidelines is that a passport reported as lost or stolen and subsequently cancelled cannot be reactivated or used for international travel, even if the original passport is found later.

If the passport is found after being reported lost or stolen, the holder must immediately inform the nearest police station and the Department of Immigration and Passports through the prescribed system.

Bangladeshi citizens who are abroad must notify the relevant Bangladesh mission.

New Passport Will Carry a Lost Passport Reference

When a new passport is issued against a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, the new document will contain an indication that the previous passport was reported lost.

The status of the previous passport will also be updated in the relevant government database as lost or revoked.

Basic Personal Information Cannot Be Completely Changed

The new instructions also address changes to personal information during passport reissue.

Applicants cannot completely change their basic identity information, including:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Father's name
• Mother's name

However, corrections that are legally permitted under the applicable laws and regulations may be considered separately through the appropriate correction process.

What If the Passport Is Damaged?

The circular also provides specific instructions for damaged passports.

If identifiable portions of a partially damaged passport remain available, the applicant may surrender those portions and apply for reissue.

However, if the passport is completely destroyed and no identifiable portion remains, the applicant will have to follow the procedures applicable to a lost passport.

What This Means for Bangladeshi Passport Holders

The new passport reissue rules place greater emphasis on online reporting, police verification, database updates, and preventing the misuse of lost or stolen passports.

For passport holders, the key points to remember are:

1. Report a lost or stolen passport online immediately.
2. File a GD at the nearest police station.
3. Keep a copy of the GD for the reissue process.
4. If the passport is lost abroad, inform the nearest Bangladesh mission.
5. A passport reported lost or stolen cannot be reused if it is later found.
6. The first loss, theft, or damage does not attract an additional penalty beyond the regular passport fee.
7. A Tk 10,000 additional penalty applies to every subsequent occurrence from the second incident onward.

Final Words

Bangladesh's new passport reissue guidelines introduce a more structured process for dealing with lost, stolen, and damaged passports. The additional Tk 10,000 penalty for repeated incidents, mandatory online reporting, police verification, and database updates are among the key changes.

Bangladeshi passport holders should therefore keep their passports secure and report any loss or theft immediately to avoid complications during future passport applications and international travel.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), September 23, 2026.