Bangladesh passport ranks low in Asia
The Bangladeshi passport continues to remain near the bottom of Asia’s mobility rankings, with citizens able to travel to only 36 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the Henley Passport Index April 2026.
Bangladesh has been ranked 95th out of 101positions in the latest index, which measures the strength of 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter visa-free or with visa-on-arrival facilities. The index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated regularly by Henley & Partners.
The latest ranking places Bangladesh far behind Asia’s leading passports. Singapore remains at the top globally and in Asia, offering access to around 192 destinations without a prior visa, followed by other powerful Asian passports such as Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
For Bangladesh, the figure highlights a continuing mobility gap. While citizens of top-ranked Asian countries can travel to most parts of the world with limited visa restrictions, Bangladeshi travellers still need prior visas for the vast majority of international destinations. The passport’s access to only 36 destinations keeps it close to the lower end of the global table.
The weak ranking affects more than tourism. Limited visa-free access can make international travel slower, costlier and more uncertain for students, migrant workers, businesspeople, researchers and ordinary citizens. It also reflects the wider diplomatic and economic challenges faced by countries with restricted global mobility.
Bangladesh has made progress in labour migration, remittance earnings and overseas education, but its passport strength has not improved significantly in global mobility indexes. Analysts often link passport power with factors such as diplomatic agreements, international confidence, economic standing, migration concerns and security perceptions.
In South Asia, Bangladesh remains among the weaker passports, although it is not at the very bottom globally. Countries affected by war, political instability or prolonged diplomatic isolation usually occupy the lowest positions in the index. Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq are commonly placed at the bottom of the global ranking, reflecting severe restrictions on the international movement of their citizens.
For Bangladesh, the latest ranking is a reminder that passport strength remains an important area of diplomatic policy. Expanding visa-waiver arrangements, improving international trust, strengthening border and identity-document systems, and negotiating easier travel access could help improve mobility for Bangladeshi citizens in the long run.
