NID Service for Expatriates Being Launched in 8 More Countries

NID Service for Expatriates Being Launched in 8 More Countries

NID Service for Expatriates Being Launched in 8 More Countries. The Election Commission of Bangladesh (EC) has taken a significant step forward in ensuring the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis by expanding NID services to more countries across the globe. After successfully running voter registration in 9 countries, the NID enrollment service will now be launched in 8 new countries, including the United States, France, Maldives, Turkey, Jordan, South Africa, Oman, and Egypt.

This move comes as part of the government’s promise to empower non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) and strengthen their participation in the democratic process.

NID Service for Expatriates Being Launched in 8 More Countries

The Election Commission is currently offering voter registration services in 9 countries through 16 designated service stations. These include:

  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • Italy
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • Malaysia
  • Australia
  • Canada

More than 47,000 applications have already been received from expatriates through these centers, and over 20,000 of them have successfully been added to the expatriate voter list.

New Countries for NID Service Launch

The NID program will be extended to the following 8 countries in upcoming phases:

  • Country Status
  • United States Launch upcoming
  • France Launch upcoming
  • Maldives Relaunch phase
  • Turkey Planned
  • Jordan Planned
  • South Africa Planned
  • Oman Planned
  • Egypt Planned

In addition, Japan will begin offering NID services from July 15, 2025, as confirmed by the EC.

Why This Expansion Matters

There is a large Bangladeshi diaspora spread across over 40 countries. Providing NID registration abroad enables them to:

  • Prove legal identity as Bangladeshi citizens
  • Vote in national elections in the future
  • Access public services and benefits
  • Register bank accounts, own property, and manage official matters easily

This step also aligns with the interim government’s pledge to protect the voting rights of NRBs by introducing online, postal, and proxy voting systems.

Future Voting Methods Being Developed

To enable easier participation in the electoral process from abroad, the Election Commission is also working on various voting methods such as:

  • Online voting
  • Postal voting
  • Proxy voting

A technical advisory team has already been formed, including experts from:

  • BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology)
  • Dhaka University
  • MIST (Military Institute of Science and Technology)

These methods aim to make voting secure, transparent, and accessible for all Bangladeshis living outside the country.

How to Register for NID as an Expatriate

To become a voter or apply for a National ID card (NID) as an expatriate Bangladeshi, you must submit the following documents:

Required Documents for Expatriate NID

  • Document Type Required
  • Completed Form-2A
  • Valid Bangladeshi Passport
  • Online Birth Registration
  • Recent Passport-size Photo
  • Special Information Form (if any)
  • Education Certificates
  • NID of Parents/Spouse
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Citizenship Certificate
  • Utility Bills or Proof of Address

If some documents are missing, applicants can send them to the Upazila Election Office in Bangladesh via a relative.

A Quick Look at the History of the Program

The Expatriate NID Registration Program began in 2019 under the previous Election Commission. It first launched in Malaysia, then expanded to:

  • UAE
  • UK
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Maldives

Unfortunately, the program had to be paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was restarted in 2022 and has been growing ever since.

Expatriate NID Service at a Glance

FeatureDetails
Current countries9 (with 16 service centers)
Applications received47,000+
Voter IDs issued20,000+
New countries in 20258 (incl. USA, France, Oman, Egypt, etc.)
Japan launch date15 July 2025
Technical voting teamBUET, DU, MIST experts
Voting methods in planningOnline, Postal, Proxy

Conclusion

The expansion of NID services to 8 more countries is a milestone achievement for Bangladesh and its global citizens. With this initiative, the Election Commission is bridging the gap between NRBs and their homeland, ensuring that every Bangladeshi – no matter where they live – has a voice in the country’s future.

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