E-gates installed, but unusedAccording to immigration sources, a total of 44 e-gates were installed across airports and land ports: 26 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, six at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, six at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, four at Benapole Land Port, and two at Banglabandha Land Port. However, despite intermittent trials, the e-gates are currently closed for outbound passengers at major airports. Liton Kabir, a traveler bound for Singapore, told Dhaka Tribune that the promise of faster travel with e-passports has not materialized. Official explanations, limited answersHazrat Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad confirmed that the e-gates can only authenticate passport data and cannot verify visas or travel details. At Benapole Land Port, Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge Shakhawat Hossain said four e-gates, two for arrivals and two for departures, remain operational, staffed by four officers.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 22, 2026 01:48 UTC