The ability to travel internationally without restrictions depends on the passport you hold. A strong passport makes it easier to travel without any cumbersome paperwork. But what makes a passport strong or weak? The latest Henley and Partners Passport Index says the world's weakest passports belong to countries facing war and diplomatic tension. People from such countries can travel to limited countries only without a visa.
A country's economic and political situation dramatically influences the ease of international travel for its citizens. People from economically weaker and politically unstable nations often encounter substantial travel restrictions abroad. Let us explore the weakest passports in the world and determine the factors that influence a passport’s strength.
Henley Passport Index ranks all the passports in the world according to the number of places citizens can travel without a visa. It ranks 199 passports and their visa-free access to 227 locations. According to this global ranking system, the most powerful passport ranking belongs to the country, with visa-free access to the highest number of destinations. This year’s most powerful passports belong to Singapore, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Now let us have a look at the world’s weakest passports.
According to the 2024 passport ranking, Afghanistan has the weakest passport, ranked 101st, with visa-free access to only 26 countries. Middle Eastern countries have the highest visa overstay risk due to ongoing conflicts and political situations. The recent arrival of the Taliban has led to many countries cutting ties with Afghanistan. Rising unemployment has prompted many people to seek opportunities in neighbouring countries.
Syria is ranked 100th with access to 27 destinations. Terrorism and civil unrest within the country are the main reasons why the Syrian passport is among the weakest in the world. Due to the civil war and drug trade, many countries have closed their borders to Syrian citizens who were trying to flee their country. Syrian citizens have to undergo a complex visa application process and fulfil strict visa requirements if they apply for a visa.
Iraqi citizens have visa-free access to only 31 countries, with their passport ranking 99th globally. This is due to a combination of factors such as terrorism, poverty, and social issues faced by the country. These challenges have contributed to Iraq having one of the weakest passports regarding global travel freedom.
Pakistan's passport is ranked 98th, providing holders with visa-free access to only 33 countries. Pakistan's international relations, terrorist connections, economic crisis and political instability have led to the Pakistani passport being one of the least powerful in the world.
Yemen's passport is ranked 96th globally, giving its citizens access to only 33 countries. This limited access is a result of the ongoing civil war in the country since 2014, which has led to severe famine and civil unrest. The repercussions of these crises not only affect the citizens' well-being but also weaken the standing of their passports on a global scale.
At 97th, Somali nationals have access to 35 countries. Somalia is on the list of weakest passports because of political instability, poverty and a lack of international recognition. A lack of infrastructure and insufficient consular services add to the challenges facing citizens trying to travel internationally.
The strength of a passport depends on a country’s mobility score, which means the number of countries to which its citizens can travel visa-free or obtain a visa on arrival. Certain factors contribute to the strength of a passport.
Economically powerful nations with global investments typically possess strong passports, allowing their citizens to travel without visa restrictions. This is because they contribute to the economic prosperity of the visited countries.
Economically powerful nations with global investments typically possess strong passports, allowing their citizens to travel without visa restrictions, as they contribute to the economic prosperity of the visited countries.
Efficient government and solid internal security help countries have better visa agreements with other countries. Their citizens are also considered safe and have no visa-overstay risk.
A passport is more than just a travel document; it opens the door to countless opportunities. A strong passport brings many benefits, including the ability to travel freely without visa restrictions, better educational and business prospects, and better safety and security.
Also Read: How to Check Passport is Valid or Not?
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