Bangladesh will launch a pilot of its “Probashi Card” for expatriate Bangladeshis in mid-August next month, following a decision at a Saturday meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The government says the card is intended to raise expatriates’ social standing, empower them, provide financial incentives, and enable international payments and banking through a dual-currency card.

Officials said cardholders will receive at least 10 special services, including airport lounge access, dedicated immigration booths, meet-and-greet services, travel discounts, vehicle booking, health-service support, repatriation of remains after death, rehabilitation and insurance support. The card will also offer priority in land registration, utility connections, licensing, foreign investment, identity, passport, consular and banking services.

In the first phase, state-owned Janata Bank will issue expatriate debit cards. The target is to distribute 50,000 cards by December 2026 and 200,000 by June next year. In the second phase, Probashi Kallyan Bank will manage all card-related activities. The prime minister also directed authorities to ensure Bangladeshis living worldwide can be brought under the scheme.