A passport is a government-issued document that verifies the bearer's identity and nationality for international travel, whereas a visa is a permission granted by a country to a foreigner to enter and stay in the country for a specified term.
All rules and regulations are country-specific. At times, this regulation is extremely stringent; at other times, it is extremely loosened. This section will highlight the countries to which Bangladeshi passport holders do not require a visa.
The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Authority, produces an annual ranking of countries by confirming the visa process for 199 passports at 227 destinations.
Bangladesh is ranked 108 in the 2021 edition, down ten points from previous year. Bangladeshi citizens with valid passports will be able to travel visa-free to 40 countries under this ranking.
Among them, 19 nations offer visas on arrival, which means that visas can be requested before to entering the destination country. Only while entering Sri Lanka will electronic visas be accessible. Additionally, Bangladeshi citizens are not required to undergo any visa-related procedures in the remaining 20 nations.
Africa (13)
Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros Islands, and Guinea-Bissau
Asia (3)
Maldives, Nepal, and Timor-Leste
USA (1)
Bolivia
Oceania (2)
Samoa and Tuvalu
Africa (2)
Gambia and Lesotho
Asia (2)
Bhutan and Indonesia
Caribbean (11)
Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Oceania (5)
Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, and Niue.
Consider the state of Bangladesh's passports during the last two decades. Between 2010 and 2014, Bangladeshi passport holders with free visas had the most travel chances. During that time span, a Bangladeshi passport holder may visit a total of 42 countries without obtaining a visa.
Bangladesh's highest ranking was 68th in 2006. However, the number of places included in the Henley Passport Index at the time was far less than it is now (227). Bangladeshi passport holders were permitted to enter 28 countries without obtaining a visa.
Between 2009 and 2021, the minimum number of visa-free countries for Bangladesh was 38, with the year 2017 being the most recent. In previous years, the figure has increased from 39 to 41. The number 40 (for 2019) has reappeared this year.
Bangladesh's passport is consistently losing ground in terms of rating, according to data from the International Air Transport Authority. However, the last few years have seen modest progress. Between 2012 and 2013, it improved from 93rd to 85th rank.
From 2015 to 2017, he was ranked 99 to 95 for three straight years. From 2018 to 2020, the figures remained consistent, dropping from 100 to 98. However, the record of 108th place in 2021 has faded in comparison to the steadily growing level over the previous six years.
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