Afghanistan has been ranked as holding the world’s weakest passport in the Henley Passport Index 2026, placing 101st with access to only around 23–24 travel destinations without a prior visa.
According to Henley & Partners, the index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority and evaluates 199 passports against 227 destinations worldwide. It is widely regarded as a key benchmark for measuring global mobility.
The latest rankings highlight significant global inequality in travel freedom, with some passports granting access to over 180 destinations, while others—like Afghanistan’s—offer access to fewer than 40. This disparity affects opportunities for tourism, business, education, and family travel.
Several countries rank among the lowest due to factors such as political instability, conflict, limited diplomatic relations, and security concerns. Nations including Eritrea, North Korea, Bangladesh, Nepal, Somalia, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria also appear near the bottom of the 2026 rankings.
Experts note that passport strength is closely linked to international relations, internal stability, and migration trends. As a result, citizens of lower-ranked countries often face higher travel costs, longer visa processing times, and stricter entry requirements when seeking to travel abroad.
10 Countries With The Weakest Passports For 2026
01.North Korea
02.Palestinian Territory
03.Bangladesh
04.Nepal
05.Somalia
06.Pakistan
07.Yemen
08.Iraq
09.Syria
10.Afghanistan
