Bangladesh Faces Global Passport Credibility Crisis Amid Corruption and Migration Scandals
Dhaka, October 21 (TheTrendingPeople.com): Bangladesh’s passport has hit its lowest global ranking in years, reflecting not just an administrative setback but a deeper crisis in national credibility. According to the latest Henley Passport Index (October 2025), Bangladesh has dropped to the 100th position, sharing the spot with North Korea, a country synonymous with isolation and restricted travel.
A recent report in the Dhaka Tribune warned that the fall in passport credibility is a mirror to the country’s broader decline in civic values — where corruption, deceit, and short-term opportunism have become normalized and are now tarnishing Bangladesh’s image on the global stage.
Visa Restrictions and Global Distrust
The report highlighted that visa overstays, forged documents, and illegal migration involving Bangladeshi citizens have become a recurring global concern.
“Across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, stories of visa overstay, illegal migration, and forged documents involving Bangladeshis have become recurring headlines,” it said.
In response, several nations have imposed strict visa restrictions. Vietnam halted visa issuance for Bangladeshis earlier this year after a surge in cases of overstaying and unauthorized employment. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand have also implemented tighter screening processes, while the United Arab Emirates quietly suspended most visa categories for Bangladeshi citizens in 2024.
These measures, though enacted separately, collectively paint a grim picture — each restriction eroding the trust that determines a passport’s strength and freedom of travel.
A Crisis of Governance and Perception
Beyond bureaucratic challenges, experts say the issue has become psychological and structural. Every Bangladeshi passport holder now faces growing suspicion at immigration counters worldwide.
“Yet, to attribute the crisis entirely to individual behaviour would be simplistic. The issue is structural,” the report stated, arguing that Bangladesh’s passport weakness is rooted in poor governance, lack of transparency, and stalled economic growth.
Unemployment remains chronically high, pushing thousands of citizens abroad in search of work. When legal migration pathways narrow or become too costly, many resort to irregular migration routes. Each instance of illegal border crossing, forged paperwork, or human smuggling incident further weakens the global standing of Bangladeshi citizens.
Impact on National Image and Diplomacy
Analysts note that this passport crisis is not merely a travel inconvenience — it carries diplomatic and economic consequences.
A weaker passport limits business mobility, restricts educational opportunities, and signals declining international trust.
The report asserted, “Foreign governments do not just evaluate paperwork; they evaluate a nation’s behaviour. The cumulative consequence of fraudulent migration, fake documents, and false promises in foreign employment has turned Bangladesh’s passport into a symbol of uncertainty.”
As a result, foreign employers and partner governments are increasingly reluctant to engage with Bangladesh’s overseas labour programs, impacting one of the country’s most critical sources of foreign exchange — remittances.
Restoring Global Confidence
Experts suggest that rebuilding Bangladesh’s passport credibility requires long-term governance reforms — including digital transparency in migration systems, bilateral agreements to curb fraud, and accountability in recruitment practices.
“Acceptance on the global stage cannot be manufactured through glossy cover designs or diplomatic slogans,” the Dhaka Tribune noted. “It must be earned through consistent governance, transparency, and international goodwill.”
Unless such measures are implemented, the report warns, Bangladesh’s global mobility and reputation will continue to suffer — a sobering reminder of how governance at home can shape perceptions abroad.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Bangladesh’s passport crisis highlights how deeply governance, ethics, and global reputation are interconnected. Restoring trust requires not only policy reform but also a cultural shift — from opportunism to accountability. The road to redemption, though long, begins with rebuilding the nation’s credibility one honest step at a time.