Bangladesh's passport shares 103rd rank with war-torn Libya, Myanmar ranks 97th on Global Index 2022

Bangladesh's passport climbed five spots in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index, the pioneer ranking of world's travel documents.

Out of a total 116 spots on the index, Bangladesh now ranks 103rd, according to the Henley Passport Index 2022 Q1 released recently. Last year, it ranked 108th in October.

In South Asia, the Indian passport now ranks 83rd with its holders allowed visa-free travel (or with visa-on-arrival) to 60 countries.

Although Myanmar is under a military regime, it's position is ahead of Bangladesh, at 97, with visa-free/ on-arrival access to 47 destinations.

Bhutan's passport, which allows its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 53 destinations, ranks 90th in the ranking in 2022.

Sri Lanka ranks just ahead of Bangladesh in the 102nd position in the index. 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 index like previous years -- holding 105th, 108th and 111th positions respectively.

In 2006, Bangladeshi passport's ranking was 68th in the world, and since then it has continued to weaken.

Bangladeshi passport holders can still travel to 40 foreign destinations without prior visas, as in last year. In 2020, the number was 41.

Bangladesh shares its latest position with Kosovo and Libya.

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.