Bangladesh has ranked 95th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, jumping up five places from last year.
According to the latest global ranking, Bangladesh passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 37 destinations. North Korea and Palestine sit one position ahead of Bangladesh, with a visa-free score of 38.
The ranking places Bangladesh, the 7th weakest passport globally, above Nepal (96th), Pakistan (98th), and Afghanistan (101st) in South Asia.
In comparison, Maldives ranked 52nd, the highest in South Asia, India ranked 80th, and Bhutan ranked 85th.
According to data available from the UK-based Henley and Partners, dating back to 2006, Bangladesh had its highest ranking in 2006 (68th) and its lowest ranking in 2021 (108th).
At the top of the ranking, Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, granting its citizens visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea in second place with access to 188 destinations.
Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland jointly held third place, each with 186 destinations.
The United States, for the first time in 20 years, dropped out of the top 10 places last year. However, jumping back from 12th place, with a visa-free score of 179, it has ranked 10th this year.
Among the top five passport holders, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway shared fourth place with 185 destinations, while Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates rounded out the top five, each allowing access to 184 destinations.
At the other end of the index, Afghanistan was preceded by Syria (ranked 100th), Iraq (99th), Pakistan, and Somalia (97th).
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa prior to travel, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorisation (eTA) arrangements.
Compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the index is widely regarded as the most authoritative global measure of passport strength and international mobility
