Bangladesh passport moved up one notch from last year in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index-2021.
In the pioneer ranking of all the world’s travel documents, Bangladesh has ranked 100th out of a total 110 spots on the index, sharing the same spot with Lebanon and Sudan.
Last year, the Bangladesh passport ranked 99th spot. In 2006, the passport’s ranking was 68th in the world, and since then it has continued to weaken.
The Henley Passport Index is prepared considering the total number of countries that passport holders of any particular country can access easily without a prior visa.
A decade ago, the Bangladeshi passport holders could travel to a total of 39 destinations, out of a possible 227, without needing to get prior visas. At present, the passport holders of Bangladesh can travel without prior visa to 41 destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Among the South Asian neighbours, the Indian passport now ranks 85th, three notches down from 82nd last year, with its holders allowed visa-free travel (or with visa-on-arrival) to 58 countries, while Maldives stands at 60th position, with its passport holders allowed visa-free travel or on-arrival visas to 87 countries.
Bhutan ranks 89th and Sri Lanka 99th in the latest index this year. Nepal and Pakistan ranked worse than Bangladesh with 103rd and 107th position respectively while Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.
Two Asian countries Japan and Singapore hold the top two spots in the index respectively, while Germany and South Korea share the third spot.
Despite a military coup, Bangladesh’s neighbour Myanmar has secured the 94th spot in the index with access to 47 destinations without prior visa. One of the world’s most repressive countries, North Korea, is in 102nd position this year, just two notches down from Bangladesh.
The Henley Passport Index is based on ‘exclusive’ data provided by the International Air Transport Association. The data is enhanced by extensive research and updated as and when visa policy changes come into effect.
Henley & Partners, a London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, provides consultancy service for obtaining a second citizenship and Bangladesh’s weak passport is giving the UK-based firm good business.