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Bangladesh: Meaning of the phrase "No further extension or renewal should be granted without reference to the issuing authorities" stamped on a passport; circumstances under which such a stamp is placed in a passport; reasons why a passport may be issued for less than five years; reasons why background security checks are done on passport applicants (2005)

The following information was provided in 18 February 2005 correspondence from the counsellor at the High Commission for Bangladesh in Ottawa.

Bangladesh [p]assports/travel documents are issued by the Department of Passport and Immigration (Ministry of Home Affairs) through [its] regional passport offices in Bangladesh and also by the Bangladesh Embassies/ High Commissions/ Consulates General/ Consulates located in different countries. The validity of the passports/ travel documents may vary from months to several years (normally maximum up to 5 years) – that usually depend[s] on the requirement[s] of the individual and also on the time required to complete related formalities by the issuing authorities/ Department of Passport and Immigration esp[ecially] when it is issued by a mission abroad.

Often, a seal "No further extension or renewal should be granted without reference to the issuing authorities" is stamped on the passports with shorter validity issued by Bangladesh missions. Such passports are normally issued to Bangladesh nationals who have lost their passport and/or [are] unable to produce details of their previous passport. Once such a passport is issued, the information is sent to central passport authorities as well as to other passport-issuing offices/missions, who check their records for any previous passport issued to the same individual. The Department of Passport and Immigration keep[s] the information in [its records] for any future reference. This also helps if the lost passport is found and returned to another Bangladesh mission. As all such communications are directed to the mission that issued the passport[;] others are advised to contact/ consult the issuing mission before extending the validity of the passport.

However, once a passport is issued, it has the same status and the bearer enjoys the same privileges[,] irrespective of its validity. All passports are issued by the authorities after standard identity checks required by the law.

For additional information on replacing a lost Bangladeshi passport, please consult BGD40167.E of 6 December 2002.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Reference

High Commission of Bangladesh in Ottawa. 18 February 2005. Correspondence from the counsellor.