World’s weakest passports in 2026: Bottom 10 countries ranked

Passport power is defined by how many countries their citizens can visit visa free. Every year, the Henley Passport Index publishes its global rankings, measuring how easily people from certain countries can travel more places freely, without obtaining a visa beforehand, while there are passports of some other countries that don’t offer so much of access. The data comes from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and includes destinations that allow visa-free travel, visas on arrival, or electronic travel authorisations.
The results presented in the 2026 report indicate, yet again, the big gap that is known to exist between the strongest and weakest passports around the world. The people who hold the strongest passport have greater flexibility in terms of easily travelling around the world with very minimal restrictions. However, the ones who own the weakest passport face harsh restrictions in terms of international travel. This list comprises those nations that are ranked in the bottom of the list, and is especially noted in the weakest category.
The Henley Passport Index 2026's 10 lowest-ranked nations and the implications for its residents are examined in more detail below.

Visa-free access: 38 destinations
Citizens of North Korea, Eritrea, and the Palestinian Territory have some of the highest travel obstacles in the world. The North Korea government enforces strict control, there are global sanctions against them, and this country is isolationist - so minimal travel, if at all. In the case of Palestinians, they have partial recognition as an independent state and face heavy security checks at border-crossing points. Also, Eritrea is trapped in conflicts.

Visa-free access: 37 destinations

Despite steady economic growth and a large overseas workforce, Bangladesh continues to be in the list, and holds one of the weakest passports globally, largely due to limited diplomatic reach, persistent concerns over visa overstays, and low levels of reciprocal visa access from major countries.

Visa-free access: 35 destinations
Despite political stability, Nepal’s passport continues to rank among the weaker ones globally, largely due to the country’s limited diplomatic reach and a small number of bilateral visa-waiver agreements, which restrict travel options for Nepali citizens.

Visa-free access: 33 destinations
There are various reasons for this, like decades of conflict and weak governance continue to limit Somalia’s global movement. Persistent concerns with regard to issues like stability and migration risks keep its passport near the bottom of the rankings.

Visa-free access: 31 destinations

Both Pakistan and Yemen occupy this 98th position, offering their citizens access to 31 destinations freely. Various factors are responsible for this. While Yemen has been facing civil war, Pakistan is also facing issues with its neighbouring countries.

Visa-free access: 29 destinations
While Iraq has indeed shown some progress toward rebuilding and stability, its citizens don't enjoy that level of travel freedom, with visa-free access to just 29 destinations. In short, travel remains highly limited by the lingering aftermath of past wars and regional security issues.

Visa-free access: 26 destinations
Years of civil war, economic sanctions, and security measures put Syria among the lowest-ranking passports. Its citizens can access only 26 destinations without any paperwork. Syrians indeed face the most intense visa requirements, and have very limited freedom in terms of international travel.

Visa-free access: 24 destinations
Afghanistan finds itself in the bottom of the list, the country whose citizens hold the weakest passport in the world in 2026. This also means that its citizens have very limited access in terms of visa-free travel. Some of the reasons for this are decades of conflict in the region, as well as the impact of minimal diplomatic relations on the country.