When international doors close to a country’s citizens, it is not merely a travel inconvenience; it is a direct blow to that country’s brand value and global acceptability. Recently, the United States suspended certain categories of visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. Prior to this, it introduced a visa bond requirement for Bangladesh. Unwritten restrictions in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia are also effectively limiting mobility.
The impact goes far beyond individuals. Prospects for investment, higher education, labour markets and foreign trade are all being squeezed. At the same time, the world is shrinking for us. How much of the responsibility for this crisis lies with us?
An analysis of US fiscal year 2023 data (October 2022 to September 2023) shows that a total of 59,254 US visas were issued to Bangladeshi citizens. Of these, 44,674 were non-immigrant visas for tourism, business and study, while 14,580 were immigrant or permanent residence visas. This makes it clear that most Bangladeshis travel to the US on non-immigrant visas, many of them linked to higher education and international business. The latest suspension will therefore hit hardest those with long-term academic and economic plans.
The crisis is not limited to the other side of the Atlantic. India, one of Bangladesh’s key partners in trade and medical services, has effectively suspended tourist visas since the political change on 5 August. According to the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the halt in travel to India has disrupted a large volume of transactions in the outbound tourism sector. Countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam are also showing reluctance to issue visas to Bangladeshi citizens.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain recently said, “We must first put our own house in order,” a clear reference to Bangladesh’s international image crisis. He indicated that attempts by citizens to travel abroad both legally and illegally are creating a negative perception.
Whenever political instability fuels irregular migration, the value of a country’s sovereign passport declines. According to the Henley Passport Index 2024, Bangladesh’s passport ranks very poorly, offering visa-free access to only 38 countries, most of which have little economic significance.
Stricter visa regimes also discourage foreign investment. When investors see a country’s passport losing acceptance, doubts arise over its long-term stability. For businesses, restricted mobility means fewer opportunities to explore new markets and facilitate technology transfer.
Remittances are a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy. However, dishonest migration practices and rule-breaking threaten labour markets in the Middle East and South-East Asia. Countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, once easily accessible, are now tightening controls, jeopardising service exports and foreign exchange reserves.
Although the government has no direct role in issuing US student visas, restrictions are blocking pathways for national talent development. Each year, thousands of talented students study abroad and contribute to the economy. Curtailing this flow risks a long-term skills gap.
Irregular migration exploiting political transitions is a long-standing problem. When embassies see tourists failing to return or seeking asylum, they impose blanket restrictions. The irresponsibility of a few thus burdens the entire nation.
A culture of rule-breaking is weakening Bangladesh’s passport. Every traveller represents the red and green flag, and each violation narrows opportunities for 180 million citizens. Visible action against unscrupulous recruiters is now essential.
The interim government must be diplomatically proactive, pursue visa facilitation agreements, cancel licences of illegal recruiters, and strengthen digital tracking of outbound travel. Countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam have overcome similar crises through legal reforms, strict enforcement and zero tolerance for traffickers.
Ensuring safe, orderly migration will enhance remittance quality and restore global confidence. Without improving passport credibility, Bangladesh risks isolation from the global mainstream.
After the upcoming parliamentary election, the new government’s priority should be to rebrand Bangladesh’s passport globally, establish a visa recovery taskforce within 100 days, and signal political stability. Pre-travel registration, smart passport tracking and strict penalties for corrupt agencies are vital to restoring international trust.
We seek a dignified passport—one that allows Bangladeshi citizens to stand with pride at any airport. Achieving this requires shared responsibility between the state and its people. Otherwise, Bangladesh risks becoming an isolated island in a globalised world, where future generations stare at closed doors.
Author: Chief Business Editor, Kaler Kantho
