The proposed integrated border management system
- Proposal deadline
- 22 October 2026 1
- Cabinet committee approval
- 9 September 2026, for direct procurement talks 1
- Review committees
- Three, with 9, 7 and 9 members 1
What the system would cover
The proposal would send passenger information to immigration before departure and screen it against Interpol databases and domestic watchlists, The Business Standard reported on 10 October 2026 1. It would cover all international entry and exit points 1.
The parts named in official papers seen by the paper are these 1.
- Advance Passenger Information (APIS) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data 1
- e-visa and Electronic Travel Authorisation 1
- Biometric checks and national watchlists 1
- Real-time Interpol links, data analytics and supporting IT 1
- Domestic data hosting, government data ownership, long-term support and technology transfer 1
Timeline
Cabinet approval is still needed before the ministry can buy the system through direct procurement, Biometric Update reported on 12 October 2026 2.
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 2 July 2026 | Securiport sends an initial proposal to the home secretary 1 |
| 4 August 2026 | Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says the government is putting integrated border management in place to fight human trafficking 4 |
| 9 September 2026 | Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves pursuing direct procurement 1 |
| 30 September 2026 | Steering committee led by Manzur Morshed Chowdhury holds its first meeting 1 |
| 4 October 2026 | Ministry letter invites a detailed proposal 1 |
| 22 October 2026 | Deadline for the technical and financial proposal 1 |
The three review committees
The steering committee set up three groups, The Business Standard reported 1.
| Committee | Members | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Due Diligence and Technical Evaluation Committee | 9 1 | Checks the firm's legal status, finances, technical ability and track record 1 |
| Fee-Rate Proposal Committee | 7 1 | Reviews immigration facilitation fees against global benchmarks 1 |
| Negotiation and Draft Agreement Committee | 9 1 | Handles scope, service levels, payments, data sovereignty, cybersecurity, licensing and exit terms 1 |
Is a passenger fee proposed?
No fee amount has been made public. The Business Standard said the fee committee will review immigration facilitation fees, which it said are often charged on international air tickets 1. ID Tech wrote on 12 October 2026 that the committee will compare charges with those in other countries 3.
Separately, official records list an unapproved Tk 1,800 crore project called Implementation of e-Visa, Bangladesh, for July 2026 to June 2031 1. It is not confirmed whether it is linked to this proposal 1,2.
What officials have said
Manzur Morshed Chowdhury told The Business Standard on 7 October 2026: "The initiative is still at a preliminary phase." He added: "It is too early to say when this will happen, or whether it will happen at all." 1 He did not say why direct procurement was chosen over an open tender 1.
Meeting minutes record Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar saying that stronger national security and modern immigration management were in the national interest 1. Finance Secretary Md Khayeruzzaman Majumder suggested asking for a full proposal and testing it against financial rules, procurement rules and the public interest 1.
In a letter to the firm, the senior secretary said any deal must guarantee government ownership of all data, system continuity and technology transfer, Biometric Update reported 2.
What analysts and critics have said
The Bangladeshi press reports we found quote no named analysts or critics 1. Northeast News, an Indian news site, reported on 27 September 2026 that an unnamed official and unnamed security analysts raised concerns about a private foreign firm handling biometric data and traveller risk models 5. The outlet said the ministry and the company had not replied to its questions 5.
On 16 October 2026 the same outlet wrote that the engagement is an evaluation and negotiation process, not an awarded contract for nationwide rollout 6. It reported concerns from security agencies without naming sources 6.
Common questions
Will travellers pay a new fee under the border proposal?
No amount has been reported. A seven-member committee is reviewing immigration facilitation fees against other countries 1,3.
Has Bangladesh signed a border contract with Securiport?
No contract had been reported as of 19 October 2026. The process is an evaluation and negotiation 1,36.
When is the proposal due?
Securiport was asked to submit its technical and financial proposal by 22 October 2026 1.
Who leads the review?
A steering committee led by Home Ministry Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury 1,2.
Is this the same as the e-visa project?
Not confirmed. An unapproved e-visa project appears in official records, but its link to this proposal is unclear 1,2.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- The Business Standard: Biometrics to watchlists: Govt eyes automated border screening with US firm (10 October 2026)
- Biometric Update: Bangladesh weighs Securiport proposal for biometric-driven border modernization (12 October 2026)
- ID Tech: Bangladesh Seeks Securiport Proposal for Biometric Border Screening (12 October 2026)
- BSS: Integrated border management key to curbing human trafficking: Home Minister (4 August 2026)
- Northeast News: US firm Securiport may secure control over Bangladesh's border security architecture (27 September 2026)
- Northeast News: Bangladesh Home Ministry close to finalising deal with US firm Securiport on border management (16 October 2026)
Related
- Bangladesh visa on arrival and e-visa
The US$50 Bangladesh visa on arrival, who can get it, how to pre-register online, overstay fines, and where the e-visa plan stands in October 2026.
- Airport charges on tickets from Bangladesh
The airport development fee, passenger security fee, VAT and excise duty added to tickets from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and other Bangladesh airports.
- Bangladesh travel tax: what you pay to leave the country
Bangladesh travel tax rates for air, land and sea trips, who is exempt, half rates for children, and the separate excise duty on air tickets.