Following the implementation of family and farmers` cards, the government of Bangladesh is set to introduce a dedicated "Probashii Card" (Expatriate Card) for its citizens working abroad. According to official announcements, this modern digital identity and service card will be rolled out within the next two months. The Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment stated that the primary objective of this initiative is to encourage expatriates to utilize legal channels for sending remittances back home. Aligning with the political manifesto of the ruling party, the card aims to store vital career specifications, employment contracts, and skillset certifications. Minister Ariful Haq Chowdhury shared key details of the project during his recent visit to the United States.
This new Expatriate Card will function simultaneously as a secure digital identity and an integrated financial services card.
While the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) card currently exists to store database records of registered workers, the new card will add sophisticated banking capabilities. State Minister Mo. Nurul Huq confirmed that the Probashii Card will feature an integrated payment gateway system linked directly with major banking institutions. This integration will provide holders with dual-currency functionality, allowing them to transact seamlessly in both Bangladeshi Taka and the local currency of their host nations. Furthermore, expatriates can use the online payment gateway to directly manage and monitor their families` household expenses from abroad.
To ensure maximum security, each card will feature a unique QR code that displays comprehensive employment and skill data when scanned by authorities. Consequently, citizens will not be required to carry the physical smart card at all times, as a mobile application version will serve as a valid digital ID. Senior ministry officials also noted that the card could serve as an alternative identification method instead of passports during urgent administrative verifications. Additionally, holders will receive high-priority access and financial discounts when purchasing plots or residential properties within the upcoming "Probashii Cities" planned across major divisional and district headquarters.
However, prominent migration experts have raised critical observations regarding the practical implementation of the new digital platform. Many expatriates in nations like Malaysia have expressed frustration over existing systems, noting that previous BMET cards failed to effectively eliminate harassment at domestic airports or provide seamless civic integration. Professor Tasneem Siddiqui highlighted that the success of the project depends entirely on its operational execution, urging the government to ensure it offers tangible benefits rather than becoming a mere bureaucratic exercise. A major challenge will involve integrating students and professionals who transitioned into foreign workforces without prior BMET registration.
According to the ministry`s rollout plan, initial priority will be given to current BMET cardholders, who will transition to the new system through an optimized registration process. New workers will be able to acquire the card by paying a designated government registration fee, with distribution facilitated through Bangladeshi embassies and consulates worldwide. The project is expected to directly benefit nearly 15 million non-resident Bangladeshis while ensuring they receive appropriate state honors at transit hubs. All existing welfare benefits, including mandatory expatriate insurance and financial compensation frameworks, will remain fully active under this updated smart card system.
