Bangladesh to Revamp Passport Design with New Features

The Bangladesh government is set to implement significant changes to its passport design, including the reinstatement of the phrase 'Except Israel' and the removal of various historical watermarks. This move aligns with the country's foreign policy on Palestine and reflects the sentiments of the public. The redesign will also feature new imagery, including symbols from the recent political uprising. These changes come in the wake of a dramatic political transition, as the BNP-led interim government seeks to reshape national identity and reduce the emphasis on symbols associated with the previous administration. The final approval for these changes is expected soon from top government officials.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 21, 2026, 20:57 IST

Significant Changes to Bangladeshi Passports

The government of Bangladesh has announced a major redesign of its passports, which will include the reintroduction of the phrase “Except Israel” and the removal of various watermarks that feature historical landmarks associated with the previous Awami League administration. Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that this phrase, which was eliminated during the rollout of electronic passports in 2020, will be gradually reinstated in new passports. Current passport holders will not be impacted immediately; they will receive the updated version upon renewal after their existing passports expire. This decision aligns with Bangladesh’s established foreign policy regarding Palestine and reflects public sentiment, as reported by local media.

Modifications to Passport Watermarks

Alongside the reinstatement of the “Except Israel” clause, the government is also altering the internal watermarks of the electronic passports. Several images linked to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and significant infrastructure projects from the previous era will be eliminated. The images being removed include:

The residence at Dhanmondi 32 (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s home)
Bangabandhu’s mausoleum in Tungipara
The Independence Monument at Suhrawardy Udyan
Bangabandhu Bridge
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre
Bangabandhu Satellite
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Kantajew Temple
Mujibnagar Memorial

These will be replaced with new imagery, including a notable photo of Abu Sayeed with outstretched arms during the 2024 mass uprising in Rangpur, which is widely recognized as a symbol of the movement that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Additional new elements will include traditional motifs such as Jamdani sarees, jackfruit (the national fruit), hilsa (the national fish), and various natural and historical sites like Tanguar Haor, Madhabkunda Waterfall, Ahsan Manzil, and the National Martyrs’ Memorial. Some existing neutral national symbols, including the Bengal tiger, water lily, Shaheed Minar, and Sixty Dome Mosque, will remain unchanged.

Political Context of the Changes

These modifications come as the BNP-led interim government seeks to redefine national symbols following a significant political shift in August 2024. After extensive student-led protests escalated into a mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled to India. An interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has taken control, heavily influenced by the BNP and other opposition parties. The redesign of the passport is perceived by many as part of a larger initiative to reshape Bangladesh’s national identity by diminishing the focus on symbols associated with the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina’s lengthy tenure, while emphasizing the 2024 uprising. Home Secretary Monjur Morshed Chowdhury has confirmed that several watermarks are being modified and new ones added, with final approval anticipated soon from the highest government authorities.