QR codes on bank dockets must to fasten visa verification

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has issued a directive requiring all scheduled banks to incorporate Quick Response (QR) codes into bank statements, solvency certificates and investment certificates issued for visa applications, says a press release.

According to the release issued by the central bank on Tuesday, the move aims to ease the administrative burden on foreign embassies and visa processing centres while improving the accuracy and efficiency of financial document verification.

BB said the absence of a streamlined digital verification system has made it difficult for embassies and visa centres to instantly verify financial documents submitted by visa applicants.

The new directive is intended to address the issue by reducing the time and administrative costs involved in visa processing and by establishing a system that enables immediate online verification of submitted financial documents.

Under the new framework, banks must ensure that the QR codes embedded in the specified documents provide secure and instant access to five key pieces of information: the account number, account name, opening balance on the reporting date, closing balance on the reporting date, and the date the statement was generated.

The directive also states that information within the QR-based verification system must remain digitally accessible for at least six months from the date of issuance of the documents.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed all scheduled banks to complete the necessary technical preparations and system upgrades within 90 days from May 12, 2026.

To safeguard customers’ financial information, banks have also been directed to strictly comply with existing data protection regulations and cybersecurity standards during the implementation and operation of the verification system.

The instruction was issued under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991, and came into effect immediately.