Bangladesh Photo Requirements

Bangladesh's Shift to ePassports Changed the Rules

When Bangladesh rolled out the ePassport system in 2020, it wasn't just a cosmetic upgrade — the photo standards got significantly tighter. The old Machine Readable Passport (MRP) was more forgiving with photo quality, but the biometric ePassport uses facial recognition matching, which means your photo has to be technically precise.

The Department of Immigration & Passports (DIP) requires 35×45mm photos on a white background. But here's the catch that many Bangladeshi applicants miss: the DIP's own enrollment stations capture your photo during the biometric appointment. So why do you still need to understand the specs? Because the online application through epassport.gov.bd requires a photo upload before your appointment, and if it doesn't pass the system's automated check, your application stalls before it even starts.

Where the Processing Happens

Bangladesh has over 70 passport offices, but the busiest by far are:

• DIP Headquarters, Agargaon, Dhaka — The main processing center, always crowded. Book early morning slots.
• Jatrabari Regional Passport Office — Handles overflow from Dhaka. Shorter wait times.
• Chattogram (Chittagong) Office — The main port city office, serves the entire Chittagong division.
• Rajshahi Regional Office — Covers northwestern Bangladesh.
• Sylhet Regional Office — Important hub given the large Sylheti diaspora in the UK.

For Bangladeshis overseas, the High Commission in London (28 Queen's Gate, SW7 5JA) and Embassy in Washington DC (3510 International Drive NW) are the busiest. Applications are submitted through the same epassport.gov.bd portal — you just select an overseas mission instead of a domestic office.

Why Photos Get Rejected at DIP Counters

DIP staff are notoriously strict about photos. The most frequent problems:

1. Background isn't clean white — Studios in Bangladesh sometimes use a pale blue or grey backdrop. The ePassport system specifically needs white.
2. Face doesn't fill enough of the frame — DIP wants your face to cover about 70% of the photo area. Too much empty space above the head is a common mistake.
3. Glasses left on — The biometric system struggles with lens reflections. Take them off, even if they're clear prescription glasses.
4. Photo mismatch at biometric capture — If you uploaded a photo that's 2 years old but show up looking different, the officer will flag it and you'll need to redo everything.
5. Printed on regular paper — Some applicants print their photo at a cyber café on normal A4 paper. It needs to be glossy photo-grade paper if you're submitting physical copies.

Fees and Timeline

A regular ePassport (48 pages, 5-year validity) costs ৳3,450 BDT with a 15-day turnaround. Need it faster? The express service at ৳6,900 gets it done in about a week. There's also a super-express tier at ৳8,625 that promises 2-3 days, though this is only available at the Agargaon headquarters. For overseas applications, the fee is typically $75-100 USD depending on the mission.

Official Resources

• Bangladesh ePassport Application Portal
• Department of Immigration & Passports