Bangladeshi passport 9th weakest in the world

The Bangladeshi passport has been ranked the ninth weakest in the world and the holders can travel to only 40 out of 227 travel destinations around the world without a prior visa, according to the fourth edition of the Henley Passport Index 2021.

Bangladesh stood at the 108th position – tied with Kosovo and Libya - among 116 spots in the index released by Henley and Partners on Tuesday. 

The index also mentions that among the 40 destinations that a Bangladeshi can travel to, 15 are in Africa, nine in the Caribbean, five in Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), six in Asia, and one in South America.

With a Bangladeshi passport, it is not possible to visit any European country without a prior visa.

Meanwhile, Japanese and Singaporean passport holders have the facility to get on-arrival visas in a record 192 destinations, which is why both the passports hold the top position in the index.

Germany and South Korea share the 2nd place, having access to 190 destinations.

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The passport of the Maldives is the most powerful in South Asia (ranked 66th) having the facility of on-arrival visa in 87 countries, followed by India (90th), Bhutan (96th), and Sri Lanka (107th).

Bangladesh is in the fifth position in South Asia, above Nepal (110th) and Pakistan (113th).

Afghanistan is at the bottom of the ranking in South Asia and also in the world. The people of Afghanistan can visit only 26 destinations worldwide without acquiring a visa in advance.

The recent edition of the index ranked passports of 199 countries in 116 spots, based on the number of destinations their holders can travel to without a prior visa.

Bangladesh had ranked 106th in the third quarter edition published in July among 116 spots, 100th in the second quarter edition published in April among 110 spots and was in 101th position in the first quarter edition in January.