Date of publication:
08/21/2025
Bangladesh
Are identity documents issued to forcibly displaced and stateless persons effectively recognized in the private sector (eg. financial services, insurance services, telecoms, mobile money, private employers)?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Refugee ID cards are not generally recognized by the private sector owing to severe limitations imposed by the Government of Bangladesh. For instance, regarding financial services, refugees cannot open bank accounts including mobile financial banking accounts (i.e. mobile money-Bkash or Nagad) or purchase insurance. Refugees are not allowed to own SIM cards. Refugees cannot work as they are prohibited by law from employment (other than receiving stipends from volunteer work within the humanitarian response in camps). However, in practice, informally, some Rohingya refugees have obtained SIM cards or found employment outside camps.