The long-standing issue of expatriates has been resolved in France. The e-passport service was officially launched at the Bangladesh Mission in Paris, the capital of France.

On Sunday (November 24), the formal inauguration of the e-passport service took place at the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris. Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to launch the e-passport system. Currently, this service is available in 118 countries worldwide, and Bangladesh has joined this network as the 119th country. The e-passport service has been launched in 46 missions and consulates across the world, including the Bangladesh mission in France. The service was inaugurated in response to the long-standing demand of expatriate Bangladeshis in France.

The event was inaugurated by Bangladesh’s Ambassador to France, Khondkar M. Talha. Brigadier General Md. Nurul Salam, Project Director of the Bangladesh e-passport and Automated Border Control System Project, attended as a special guest. Leaders of the Bangladeshi community in France were also present. Expatriates living in France were elated and overjoyed, as their long-standing demand had finally been fulfilled.

Expatriate applicant Jahangir said, “This has been a long-standing demand of the Bangladeshi community in France. Finally, it has been achieved. It feels great to complete the application process in just 20-25 minutes.”

Rokon Uddin, a leader of the Bangladeshi community in France, stated, "While e-passport services have been available in other European countries for some time, it has only now reached Paris after many years. This is a unique opportunity for expatriates."

With the launch of the e-passport service at the Bangladesh Mission, the immigration and passport processes for expatriate Bangladeshis living in France will become easier and more secure. Many countries around the world are likely to show interest in signing visa exemption agreements with Bangladesh. As a result, it is expected that the quality and prestige of the Bangladeshi passport will increase globally.