The strength of a country’s passport is directly correlated with how properly managed that country is.
The stronger the passport of a country, the more civilized and trustworthy its citizens are around the world. Singapore currently holding the title of the strongest passport with visa-free access to 195 countries.
If there’s the strongest, there’s the weakest. On this article, we will talk about countries around the world with the weakest passports. The citizens of this country could only travel, without visa, to only less than 50 countries.
Afghanistan
At the very bottom of the global passport hierarchy, Afghanistan’s passport grants visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to just 26 destinations as of early 2025, a drop from 28 the year before.
This dismal ranking is tied directly to ongoing political volatility under Taliban rule, which has further weakened diplomatic ties and eroded global travel channels.
With so few countries offering entry even with a visa on arrival, Afghan citizens face some of the toughest international mobility restrictions in modern times.
Syria
Syria ranks just above Afghanistan at No. 105, with only 27 countries allowing visa‑free access. Prolonged conflict since 2011 has devastated both society and national infrastructure.
The chaotic aftermath profoundly affects Syria’s global integration, leaving its citizens subject to strict visa controls and few diplomatic agreements. The services available to Syrian passport holders remain heavily limited.
Iraq
Securing the No. 104 spot, Iraq’s passport allows entry to merely 31 destinations without a pre‑arranged visa.
Despite being the place where the first civilization was born, the country’s modern passport strength is undermined by decades of warfare, political fragmentation, and persistent instability. This combination limits Iraq’s diplomatic outreach and travel freedoms for its people.
Pakistan
Pakistan and Yemen share the No. 103 rank, with passports granting access to only 33 countries visa‑free. Pakistan’s low rating stems from geopolitical tensions, domestic security issues, and concerns about domestic terrorism.
These factors collectively hamper its ability to negotiate visa‑waiver agreements, resulting in restrictive travel privileges for its citizens.
Yemen
Also ranked 103rd, Yemen’s passport provides visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to just 33 destinations around the world.
The ravages of civil war, humanitarian catastrophe, and state collapse have crippled the country’s diplomatic presence. Travel infrastructure is nearly non‑existent, and obtaining travel documents abroad is serious challenge.
Somalia
Ranked 102nd with access to only 35 countries, Somalia’s passport reflects a nation still grappling with clan conflicts, insecurity, and a fragile central government.
Although some regional and African states permit arrival without advance visa, most Western and other global destinations remain off‑limits or extremely hard to obtain visas for.
Nepal
At the 101st position with visa freedoms to only 39 destinations, Nepal stands out as the only South Asian tourist haven with such constraints. Despite being a renowned travel destination, its own citizens face diplomatic limitations.
While shared cultural histories afford some visa‑on‑arrival options, many destinations, especially in the West, remain inaccessible without significant bureaucratic hurdles.
Palestinian Territories
Also ranked 100th with access to around 40 countries visa‑free, the Palestinian passport’s restrictions stem from non‑recognition and lack of full sovereignty.
Nationals can travel to a handful of countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia without advanced visas. But overall mobility remains sharply restricted, reflecting international diplomatic status rather than individual travel merit.
Libya
Libya shares the 100th ranking, enabling visa‑free access to about 40 destinations. Years of civil war and fragmented governance have decimated diplomatic relations.
While a few developing nations maintain minimal visa concessions for Libyan citizens, most developed nations enforce stringent visa application processes, citing political instability and security risks.
Bangladesh
Also holding the 100th spot, Bangladesh passport holders gain visa‑free travel to roughly 40 countries. Despite advances in the garment and remittance economy, the government has negotiated few travel freedoms abroad.
Citizens can enter nearby nations and small island countries with relative ease, but access to Western countries remains tightly controlled.
North Korea
North Korea's passport is extremely weak due to the country's diplomatic isolation, authoritarian regime, and strict government-imposed travel restrictions. Few countries have strong bilateral relations with Pyongyang, limiting visa-free agreements.
Additionally, North Korean citizens rarely receive permission to travel abroad, making the passport practically unusable. International sanctions and security concerns further reduce its global acceptance and mobility.
Eritrea
Eritrea’s passport ranks among the world’s weakest, offering visa-free or visa‑on‑arrival access to only about 40 destinations, placing it around 94th–99th globally.
This weak mobility stems from the country’s diplomatic isolation, authoritarian governance, mandatory indefinite military service, human rights abuses, and limited consular support abroad.
