2024-09-15 15:57:20
The ‘e-passport’ program for Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia has been inaugurated at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Embassy Charge d’Affaires SM Rakibullah on Friday (September 13). Officials and technical team of e-passport project from Dhaka were present in the event.
The e-passport program was inaugurated in the auditorium of the embassy with the participation of expatriate dignitaries, professionals, media personalities and a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis of various classes and professions.
Assistant Project Director Major Sumiyar Sadekin from Dhaka briefed the Bangladeshis present about the process of e-passport application in Bangladesh and Bangladesh embassies abroad. He said, ‘Applicants can apply for a period of 5 years or 10 years. It will be possible to provide the e-passport within one month of receiving the application. Later, the technical team answered various queries of expatriates regarding e-passport.
In the President’s speech, Charge the Affairs said that ‘e-passport’ service was launched as the 46th mission of Bangladesh in Saudi Arabia. 20 booths have already been set up in the embassy to provide e-passport services. Also e-passport applications will be accepted while providing consular services in various cities. Along with e-passport, electronic travel permit service has also been started at the embassy.
If anyone has any queries regarding e-passport, he/she is requested to contact the embassy’s toll free number or visit the embassy directly to the concerned branch.
SM Raqibullah said, ‘The government is always trying to facilitate services for expatriates.’ He requested the expatriates to send more and more remittances through legal channels for the development of the country.
A documentary on ‘e-passport and automatic border control project’ was screened on the occasion. After the formal inauguration, the President of the program handed over e-passport enrollment slips to some applicants. At this time an electronic travel permit is provided to an applicant for the first time.
It should be noted that as a result of the official opening, all expatriate Bangladeshi citizens living in Saudi Arabia can take serial online to apply for e-passport from today. Officials of the e-passport project will go to Jeddah on Saturday to launch the service at the Bangladesh Consulate.
Expatriate Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia express their satisfaction and thanks for launching the e-passport program of Saudi Arabia. At the end of the ceremony, prayers were offered for the welfare of the country and nation. The ceremony was conducted by the first secretary of the passport and visa wing of the embassy. Jamirul Islam.