Bangladesh passport currently ranks 95^th globally and 5^th in South Asia on the Henley Passport Index, offering its citizens visa-free access to just 37 destinations worldwide. Index, based on exclusive data from International Air Transport Association (IATA), compares visa-free access of 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations.

Bangladeshi passport holders do not enjoy visa-free access to Europe's 30 Schengen Area (e.g.: France, Germany, Italy and so on), which significantly restricts travel options to much of the continent. Country's limited mobility places it behind several South Asian neighbours on the global mobility scale.

Within South Asia, Maldives leads regional mobility at 52^nd position with visa-free access to 55 destinations. India ranks 80^th globally and second in South Asia on the index, also with access to 55 destinations, reflecting comparatively stronger global mobility. Bhutan stands at 85^th globally and 3^rd regionally, allowing its citizens to travel visa-free to 50 destinations.

Sri Lanka ranks 93^rd globally and 4^th regionally, with access to 39 destinations, placing it just above Bangladesh. Nepal, ranked 96^th globally and 6^th regionally, offers visa-free travel to 35 destinations, positioning it marginally below Bangladesh. Pakistan holds 98^th position globally and 7^th position regionally, with 31 visa-free destinations.  Afghanistan remains weakest in the region, ranking 101^st globally and 8^th regionally with only 24 visa-free destinations.

Bangladesh's passport ranking has experienced significant fluctuations over two decades. Country held 68^th position in 2006 but gradually declined to 73^rd by 2009. Sharp drop followed in 2010, when position fell to 85^th, continuing downward to 93^rd in 2012.

Ranking plummeted to 99^th in 2015, briefly recovered to 95^th in 2017, then hit its lowest point at 108^th in 2021. Some recovery occurred in subsequent years, improving to 103^rd in 2022, 101^st in 2023, and 97^th in 2024. Position slipped to 100^th last year before showing modest improvement this year.

Beyond passport rankings, broader structural challenges affect Bangladesh's global connectivity. According to IATA Annual Review 2025, as of October 2024, almost TK 20,828 crore (around USD 170 crore) in airline funds were blocked worldwide due to government restrictions on repatriation. Pakistan and Bangladesh were identified as worst offenders in this regard, with Bolivia also flagged as country of concern.

Such financial barriers further complicate international aviation operations and connectivity involving Bangladesh. For significant portion of world destinations, traditional visas remain mandatory for Bangladeshi travellers, underscoring overall constraints faced in global movement and access.

Henley Passport Index methodology assigns score of 1 when no visa is required or when travellers can obtain visa on arrival, visitor's permit, or electronic travel authority. Score of 0 is assigned where visa is required or government-approved electronic visa must be obtained before departure.

Total score for each passport equals number of destinations for which no visa is required. Index uses World Bank and other publicly available national GDP data alongside visa-free access information updated monthly.

Source: Henley Passport Index, IATA Annual Review 2025