TDS Desk:

Any document attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh will no longer need to be re-attested in other countries, potentially saving Bangladeshis going abroad approximately Tk 500 crore to Tk 600 crore annually.

This significant change came into effect after Bangladesh officially became a party to “The Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents” (Apostille Convention – 196

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud formally handed over the “Instrument of Accession” on behalf of the country at the Apostille Convention in the Netherlands.

During the ceremony, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands welcomed Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmood. In his speech, the Foreign Minister explained the necessity and immediate benefits of this agreement for millions of Bangladeshi citizens. He highlighted that students, professionals, and immigration aspirants will now be able to obtain all the necessary public documents more quickly and easily, without the traditional authentication process required for admission and employment abroad.

Joining this convention is a landmark step for Bangladesh, with students expected to benefit the most. Dr. Hasan Mahmud noted that as a result, electronic apostille certificates will be issued through the e-APP (electronic apostille program) system. The authenticity and correctness of these certificates can be verified from anywhere in the world using the existing QR code on the certificate. This will significantly reduce the various types of harassment and suffering faced by students and professionals going abroad.

Hasan Mahmud said by using the apostille certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, individuals will no longer need to go to foreign embassies, foreign ministries, or other foreign authorities for verification, saving significant time and money. This change is expected to save approximately Tk 500-600 crore for Bangladeshis going abroad every year.

Currently, various documents (such as academic certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) of citizens going abroad for higher education, job applications, settling abroad, or marrying foreign citizens need to be authenticated by multiple authorities.

This includes verification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by additional verification at foreign embassies, foreign ministries, and other foreign authorities, which is time-consuming, laborious, and expensive.

At the end of the ceremony, Paul Huijts, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, had a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. The Foreign Minister praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Bangladesh Embassy for their comprehensive initiative. He expressed hope that it would be possible to fully launch the e-APP or Electronic Apostille program for Bangladeshi citizens within eight months of joining the convention, with the final support of other countries that are parties to it.

Present at the ceremony were the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, RiazHamidullah, Head of the Treaties Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Deputy Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, Consul and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Dr Shah MdTanvir Mansur, and other embassy officials.