Bangladesh passports are becoming more vulnerable in the latest edition of the Henley Passport index, the world’s most important travel document.
According to the Henley Passport 2021 index released last week, Bangladesh is now ranked 108th out of 116 places in the index.
Last year, the Bangladesh passport was ranked 101. In 2006, the passport ranking was ranked 68th in the world and has since continued to decline.
Now, Bangladeshi passport holders will be able to travel to 40 foreign destinations without a prior visa. Last year the number was 41.
Bangladesh shares its position with Kosovo and Libya.
Among neighboring countries, Indian passport now ranks 90th with its holders allowed visa-free travel (or with visa-on-arrival) to 58 countries.
Bhutan, which allows its passport holder visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 52 destinations, ranks 96th in the ranking in 2021.
Sri Lanka ranks just ahead of Bangladesh in the 107th position in the ranking. The country’s passport gives people visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 41 countries.
Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan fared worse than Bangladesh in the 2021 edition of the index like previous years — holding 110th, 113th and 116th positions respectively.
The index, which covers 199 passports and 227 different travel destinations, is based on “exclusive” data provided by the International Air Transport Authority. The data is enhanced by extensive research and updated as and when visa policy changes come into effect.
Henley & Partners provides consultancy service for obtaining a second citizenship and Bangladesh’s weak passport is giving the UK-based firm good business.
Japan and Singapore shared the top spot in the index followed by Germany and South Korea in the second place jointly.
-With The Daily Star input
