In recent years, Vietnam had become a favored travel destination for Bangladeshi tourists exploring Southeast Asia. Many travelers even took the opportunity to visit neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Laos. However, authorities in Vietnam reported that a significant portion of Bangladeshi visitors did not return home, instead overstaying their tourist visas or migrating illegally to third countries. In response, Vietnam officially suspended visa issuance for Bangladeshis in January 2025.
Several other Southeast Asian nations, including Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, have followed suit by tightening visa procedures. These countries have introduced new requirements, extended processing times, and increased rejection rates—even for applicants with previous travel history. According to travel agents, visa applications are now being rejected at unprecedented levels, affecting not just new travelers but seasoned tourists as well.
The situation is similarly restrictive in the Middle East. In July 2024, the United Arab Emirates quietly suspended visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, halting both labor and tourist visas. Though the UAE has since reopened its tourist visa channel, the daily quota remains extremely limited—ranging between 30 to 50 visas per day—making it difficult for many to secure travel permits.
India has traditionally been the primary foreign destination for Bangladeshi middle- and lower-income travelers. Its geographical proximity and affordable travel costs made it accessible, with many also taking overland trips to visa-free Nepal and Bhutan. However, following mass protests in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, India significantly restricted visa issuance, except for emergency medical purposes. As a result, overland access to Nepal and Bhutan has also declined.
Meanwhile, Pakistan showed initial interest in strengthening bilateral tourism by easing visa rules and exploring direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi. However, ongoing regional tensions and recent terror incidents in Pakistan have discouraged potential Bangladeshi travelers.
Amid these tightening restrictions, China has emerged as a relatively accessible option for Bangladeshis, offering streamlined visa processing. Similarly, the Maldives and Sri Lanka continue to permit visa-on-arrival for Bangladeshi passport holders, keeping them viable options for leisure travel.
Industry experts and immigration consultants believe the tightening restrictions reflect growing international concerns over illegal migration and visa overstays. Online travel platforms have reported that nearly 60–70% of Bangladeshi travelers to Vietnam over the past few years did not return, prompting authorities to reevaluate visa policies.
AKM Mahfuzul Alam Palash, Chief Marketing Officer of online travel agency ShareTrip, notes that previously, travelers would begin with short trips to India or Nepal to build a travel record before applying for visas to Southeast Asian or Middle Eastern countries. With India now effectively closed to tourists, many are applying directly to Thailand, Singapore, or Malaysia, leading to application surges and more stringent vetting.
The declining global acceptability of the Bangladeshi passport remains a significant concern. According to the Henley Passport Index, Bangladesh ranks 95th globally—behind countries like North Korea and on par with war-torn Libya—allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 41 destinations.
The Dubai-based immigration consultancy Nomad Capitalist places Bangladesh at 181st in its global passport strength ranking, citing poor mobility, weak international perception, and limited dual citizenship opportunities. Their study indicates that countries scoring below 50 on key indicators such as tax system, personal freedom, and global image often face skepticism and additional scrutiny at borders.
Former Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir stresses that the core issue lies within the country: “Youth unemployment is rising, and without adequate job creation and investment, desperate attempts to go abroad—legal or not—will continue.” He adds that the government must improve skill development among prospective migrants and ensure better enforcement against fraudulent visa practices to rebuild international trust in Bangladeshi travelers.
Efforts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ease these restrictions are ongoing, with some diplomatic progress reportedly made with the UAE. However, officials acknowledge that broader improvements in governance, employment, and global engagement are essential to reversing the downward trend in global mobility for Bangladeshi citizens.