Bangladeshi passport 9th weakest globally | Henley Passport Index | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Bangladeshi passport 9th weakest globally

Bangladesh

Mursalin Hossain & Mohsin Bhuiyan
10 July, 2020, 07:45 pm
Last modified: 11 July, 2020, 11:13 am

Related News

  • Bangladesh passport reform: A necessity for 21st Century
  • Interim govt reinstates 'except Israel' on Bangladeshi passports
  • No more police verification: How to get an e-passport thru required documents, fees, online application
  • Interim govt’s success or failure depends on maintaining law and order: Yunus
  • Saudi ambassador hopeful of resolving passport issues of 69,000 people

Bangladeshi passport 9th weakest globally

Most South Asian countries have limited freedom to travel

Mursalin Hossain & Mohsin Bhuiyan
10 July, 2020, 07:45 pm
Last modified: 11 July, 2020, 11:13 am
Bangladeshi passport 9th weakest globally

Many parts of the world have started to reopen and lift travel bans despite Covid-19 seriously hampering travel and mobility globally. However, Bangladeshi citizens are still restricted from travelling to many countries – especially those of the European Union (EU).

As a result, the passport of Bangladesh is losing its power globally as it has dropped three notches to 101st among 109 spots in the third quarter edition of the Henley Passport Index 2020 (HPI) published on July 7.

This means that the Bangladeshi passport is the world's ninth weakest. It ranked 98th in the first quarter edition of the HPI index published in January this year. However, it was placed at 99th in 2019.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The recent edition of the passport index ranked passports of 199 countries in 109 spots according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

According to the latest ranking, the number of destinations Bangladeshi passport holders can travel to without a prior visa – 41 out of total 227 – has not increased since the January edition.

These 41 destinations include: 16 in Africa, 11 in the Caribbean, seven in Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), six in Asia, and one in South America.

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

The global Covid-19 pandemic may take a further toll on Bangladeshi passport holders. On July 9, Italy banned the entry of Bangladeshi citizens or passengers in that country till October 5 due to a fear of the virus' spread. Earlier in June, Japan banned flights from Dhaka.

Pandemic affects passport power

Japan's passport is the world's most powerful with visa-free entry to 191 countries, followed by Singapore (190 destinations), and jointly Germany and South Korea (189 destinations). Meanwhile, Afghanistan's passport is the weakest in the world.

Although Japan and South Korea have made it onto the EU's safe countries list, Singapore has not. Hence, the number of destinations with visa-free access has dropped to 163 for Singapore temporarily.

The United States, hardest-hit by Covid-19, has access to 185 countries without any prior visa and shares seventh position with Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. However, the EU has banned entry of American citizens too, resulting in a temporary fall in its visa-free access to the number of destinations to 158, roughly equal travel freedom with Mexico (ranked 25th) and Uruguay (ranked 28th).

South Asia lacks freedom to travel

In the HPI rankings, passports of most South Asian countries have found themselves among the lowest-performing, meaning that the countries in this region significantly lack travel freedom.

The passport of the Maldives is the most powerful in South Asia (ranked 62nd) with visa-free entry to 85 countries followed by India (85th), Bhutan (90th), and Sri Lanka (100th).

Bangladesh is in fifth position in South Asia – ranking above Nepal (104th), Pakistan (107th), and Afghanistan (109th).

Top News

Passport / Bangladeshi passports / weakest

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts
    Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts
  • Illustration: TBS
    'Where is the transparency in economic activities of this government?' asks Debapriya
  • Infographic: TBS
    Deadlock over key reforms: Is there any solution in sight?

MOST VIEWED

  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Depositors need not worry as govt will take over banks before merger: BB governor
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Photo: Collected
    DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chadni Chowk
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Protest at Secretariat suspended as govt assures decision on ordinance tomorrow

Related News

  • Bangladesh passport reform: A necessity for 21st Century
  • Interim govt reinstates 'except Israel' on Bangladeshi passports
  • No more police verification: How to get an e-passport thru required documents, fees, online application
  • Interim govt’s success or failure depends on maintaining law and order: Yunus
  • Saudi ambassador hopeful of resolving passport issues of 69,000 people

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

2d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

8h | Others
Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

8h | TBS Today
TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

9h | Others
Trump's tariff policy shock: US dollar dominance under threat

Trump's tariff policy shock: US dollar dominance under threat

11h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net