Online fee collection facility for machine-readable passports (MRP) and machine-readable visas (MRV) has been launched in Dhaka.
Five private commercial banks — Bank Asia, Dhaka Bank, One Bank, Premier Bank and Trust Bank – introduced the service on Monday.
The banks are primarily offering the service for the regional passport office at Agargaon in Dhaka city. It will be introduced in 67 other regional passport offices across the country in phases.
Earlier, only Sonali Bank branches would receive the passport and visa fees.
The Department of Immigration and Passport signed agreements with the five banks on Dec 4 last year for the facility.
The service was supposed to be launched across the country on Jun 16 this year but not all arrangements could be made within that date.
Bank Asia Deputy Managing Director Md Arfan Ali told bdnews24: “We’ve launched the service along with four other banks.”
He said several transactions were done on the first day.
Ali said his bank was trying to offer the service through agent banking.
Dhaka divisional passport office Director Munshi Muyeed Ikram told bdnews24.com that collection of passport and visa fees got off to a smooth start.
He said work was on to launch the service across the country in phases.
Source: Bd news24
