Bangladesh passport ranks at the bottom of the world list, sparking global concerns
Dhaka‑based journalists say Bangladesh’s steady drop in passport credibility shows a deeper crisis in society and governance. The latest Henley Passport Index – released this October – places Bangladesh tied at 100th place, its lowest ranking in years, sharing a spot with North Korea.
The report, echoed by the Dhaka Tribune, points to a growing pattern of visa overstays, illegal work and forged documents involving Bangladeshi travellers. Countries that used to welcome them are tightening their entry rules.
- Vietnam stopped issuing visas to Bangladeshis in early 2025 after a surge in overstays and illegal jobs.
- Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand tightened their scrutiny, while the UAE quietly suspended most visa categories last year.
Each of these moves chips away at the trust that gives a passport its value.
Why is the crisis even more serious?
The report stresses that the problem is no longer just a paperwork issue. It’s a mindset. Every Bangladeshi passport holder now walks into an airport abroad carrying global suspicion.
The decline, however, is rooted in larger structural problems:
- High unemployment and slow job creation push young Bangladeshis to look for chances abroad.
- When legal routes become expensive or scarce, people turn to irregular migration, adding to the passport’s stigma.
- A single case of fake documents or illegal employment adds another weight to the nation’s reputation.
What must change to lift the passport’s rank?
Experts say sleek passports are useless without honest work and diplomacy. Foreign governments judge a country by its actions, not just its paperwork. Improving governance, transparency and international cooperation will rebuild the trust needed for a strong passport.
This crisis underlines that Bangladesh’s future success abroad depends on real progress at home – not on shiny passports alone.
Source: ianslive
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