by Passport Strength Comparison
1. Afghanistan (Weakest Passport)
- Ranking: 106th (bottom of the index)
- Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Access: Just 25–26 destinations www.ndtv.comHenley & Partners+1The TimesMovingto
- Mobility Gap: Largest disparity globally—Singapore passport holders can travel to 169 more countries without a visa Henley & Partners+1.
2. Syria
- Ranking: 105th
- Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Access: Around 27 destinations www.ndtv.comThe TimesMovingto.
3. Iraq
- Ranking: 104th
- Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Access: Approximately 30–31 destinations www.ndtv.comMovingtoWikipedia.
Pakistan
- Ranking: Tied at 103rd with Yemen www.ndtv.comThe Express TribuneWikipediaHenley & Partners.
- Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Access: Reported as 32 or 33 destinations, depending on the data source:
- 33 according to January 2025 figures The Express TribuneThe News International
- 32 based on April/July 2025 data WikipediaThe Express TribuneGulf NewsHTN WorldHenley & Partners.
Summary Table
| Country | Rank (2025) | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 106th | ~25–26 |
| Syria | 105th | ~27 |
| Iraq | 104th | ~30–31 |
| Pakistan | 103rd | ~32–33 |
Insights & Context
- Comparative Weakness: These passports (Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq) provide even less global mobility than Pakistan—a reflection of political instability, ongoing conflicts, and limited diplomatic reach MovingtoThe TimesHenley & Partners.
- Data Variability: The slight variation in numbers (32 vs. 33 for Pakistan, 25 vs. 26 for Afghanistan) stems from differences between the January and July editions of the Henley Index, reflecting updates in visa agreements Henley & Partners+1WikipediaMovingto.
- Indices & Sources: Henley’s rankings are primarily based on IATA’s Timatic data and evaluate access to 227 global destinations Henley & Partners+1Forbes.
1. Afghanistan (World’s Weakest: 25 Visa-Free/On-Arrival Destinations)
- Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Access: Approximately 25 destinations according to the Henley Passport Index.Wikipedia+1The Times
- Visa-Free Highlights: Dominica, Haiti, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Suriname, Egypt, Kenya, Seychelles.VisaGuide.World
- Visa-on-Arrival Options (selected):
- Asia & Africa: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives (30 days), Timor-Leste (30 days), Cape Verde (3 months), Comoros (45 days), Guinea-Bissau (90 days), Madagascar (90 days), Mauritania, Mozambique (30 days), Rwanda (30 days), Senegal, Seychelles (3 months), Somalia (30 days), Togo (7 days), Uganda (3 months), Palau (30 days), Samoa (60 days), Tuvalu (1 month).Passport Lists
- Challenges: Getting a visa is often difficult because many embassies in Afghanistan are closed. Afghan nationals may need to travel to neighboring countries just to apply.RedditWikipedia
2. Syria (Second Weakest: ~27 Visa-Free/On-Arrival Destinations)
- Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Access: About 27 destinations, ranking near the bottom of global passport strength.WikipediaThe Times
- Visa-Free Countries (no visa needed):
- Asia: Iran, Malaysia
- Oceania: Cook Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Samoa
- Caribbean: Dominica, HaitiPassport ListsVisaGuide.WorldEmbassiesEmbassy Finder
- Visa-on-Arrival / eVisa Options include:
- Africa: Burundi, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda
- Asia & Middle East: Cambodia, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Yemen, Lebanon
- Oceania: Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu
- eTA: Kenya (requires an electronic travel authorization)Passport ListsEmbassy FinderVisaGuide.World
- Practical Note: The majority of destinations still require a visa. Moreover, applying for a Schengen visa is particularly difficult due to Syria’s limited diplomatic presence abroad.Passport Lists
3. Iraq (Ranked Below Pakistan)
- Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Access: Around 30 destinations, placing it low on the index.WikipediaThe Times
- Visa-Free Countries (no visa needed):
- Cook Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Malaysia, Micronesia, Samoa
- Additional visa-free: Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Suriname, Tunisia, Zambia, Kenya, Seychelles—totaling approximately 12 depending on the source.EmbassiesVisaGuide.World
- Visa-on-Arrival / eVisa Options:
- Visa-on-Arrival (Africa, Asia, Oceania): Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda; Cambodia, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Sri Lanka; Palau, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu.Visa and Embassy
- eVisa Access: Albanian, Armenia, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Tajikistan, Vietnam, plus others (e.g. Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon).VisaGuide.WorldEmbassies
Quick Comparison Table
| Passport | Visa-Free (~) | Visa-on-Arrival / eVisa Options | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ~8–10 nominally visa-free | Broad list across Asia & Africa | Easiest escapes; embassy closures and visa access are major issues. |
| Syria | ~8 visa-free | Many visa-on-arrival/eVisa options | Schengen access remains highly restricted. |
| Iraq | ~10–12 visa-free | Extensive visa-on-arrival and eVisa options globally | Better access compared to the others but still limited. |
Summary Insights:
- Even “visa-free” options are very limited for these passports.
- Visa-on-arrival and eVisa options are more accessible but still far from robust global mobility.
- Political and diplomatic instability severely affects access, especially in Afghanistan and Syria.
- Applicants face logistical hurdles, such as closed embassies or needing to apply from third countries.
