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Bangladesh has climbed three places to secure the 97th position in the latest Henley Passport Index, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 35 destinations worldwide. Despite the slight improvement from the previous year, the passport remains among the lowest-ranked globally for international travel.

The 2026 index, released by London-based consultancy Henley & Partners, evaluates passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa. Bangladesh is currently ranked alongside North Korea, with only Nepal, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan positioned lower in the global rankings.

Within the South Asian region, the Maldives boasts the strongest passport, ranking 52nd with access to 93 destinations. India follows at 81st place with 55 destinations, while Sri Lanka is ranked 94th with 39. Bangladesh's passport provides access to 35 destinations, placing it ahead of Nepal (98th) and Pakistan (101st).

Globally, Singapore retains its title as the world's most powerful passport, offering its citizens seamless travel to 192 destinations. Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share the second spot with access to 188 destinations, while Sweden ranks third with 187. A group of 11 European countries, including France, Germany, and Spain, share fourth place, each providing access to 186 destinations.

Henley & Partners noted that the average passport now offers visa-free access to 108 destinations, a significant increase from 58 in 2006. This expansion reflects growing global mobility over the past two decades. However, the report also highlighted a widening disparity between the most and least powerful passports, with a gap of 170 destinations between Singaporean and Afghan passport holders.