§ 1Short title and extent
The Passport Act, 1920 is a short but consequential statute that empowers the Government of Bangladesh to regulate the departure of persons from the country by requiring them to possess passports. It applies to all persons leaving Bangladesh, regardless of nationality. The Act consists of only six sections and operates by enabling the government to make rules requiring persons departing from Bangladesh to be in possession of passports, to produce them for inspection, and to comply with related conditions. It creates criminal liability for anyone who attempts to leave or leaves Bangladesh without a valid passport, or who contravenes any rule made under the Act. Notable provisions include the power to arrest without warrant any person reasonably suspected of contravening the Act, and the authority of any customs officer or police officer to detain passports for inspection. The Act has been supplemented by the Passport Rules and the Bangladesh Passport Order, 1973, which together create the modern passport regime. Despite its brief text, the Act remains in force and provides the legal foundation for passport-based exit control in Bangladesh.
Full text · showing key sections
§ 2Definitions
§ 3Power to make rules
§ 4Power of arrest
§ 5Power of removal
§ 6[ Omitted]
The Passport Act, 1920 is a short but consequential statute that empowers the Government of Bangladesh to regulate the departure of persons from the country by requiring them to possess passports. It applies to all persons leaving Bangladesh, regardless of nationality. The Act consists of only six sections and operates by enabling the government to make rules requiring persons departing from Bangladesh to be in possession of passports, to produce them for inspection, and to comply with related conditions. It creates criminal liability for anyone who attempts to leave or leaves Bangladesh without a valid passport, or who contravenes any rule made under the Act. Notable provisions include the power to arrest without warrant any person reasonably suspected of contravening the Act, and the authority of any customs officer or police officer to detain passports for inspection. The Act has been supplemented by the Passport Rules and the Bangladesh Passport Order, 1973, which together create the modern passport regime. Despite its brief text, the Act remains in force and provides the legal foundation for passport-based exit control in Bangladesh.