- Afghanistan ranks 101st as the weakest passport in the 2026 Henley Passport Index
- Afghan passport holders can access 24 countries without prior visa requirements
- Accessible countries include small islands, African states, and regional neighbors
Afghanistan's passport continues to rank as the weakest in the world, according to the February 2026 Henley Passport Index. The country sits in 101st place, behind all other nations, with Afghan passport holders able to access only a very small number of destinations without pre-arranged visas.
Despite this low ranking, Afghans can still enter 24 countries visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or via a simplified electronic travel authorisation process. This limited mobility contrasts sharply with the global rise in travel access enjoyed by citizens of more diplomatically connected countries. Yet these 24 destinations remain important entry points for Afghans seeking tourism, family visits, trade or transit options unavailable elsewhere.
Many of the accessible destinations include small island nations, African states, and regional neighbours. Notably, Bangladesh features on the list as a visa-on-arrival country for Afghan nationals.
Also Read: Which 56 Countries Can Indians Travel To Visa-Free As Per February 2026 Passport Rankings?
The 24 Countries Afghanistan Passport Holders Can Visit Without A Prior Visa
The total of 24 destinations comes from a combination of visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and ETA (electronic travel authorisation), all of which count as "no prior visa required" under Henley's criteria.
Visa-Free Countries (4)
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Haiti
- Micronesia
Visa-On-Arrival Countries (17)
- Madagascar
- Bangladesh
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoros
- Guinea-Bissau
- Macao (SAR China)
- Maldives
- Mozambique
- Palau Islands
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
- Djibouti
- Niue
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) Countries (3)
- Sri Lanka
- Kenya
- Seychelles
Why Afghanistan Ranks So Low
The Henley Passport Index draws on IATA data to evaluate how many destinations a passport holder may enter without obtaining a visa beforehand. Afghanistan's 101st position and score of 24 reflect the country's limited diplomatic engagement, ongoing security challenges, and international travel restrictions imposed by many governments.
In the same 2026 ranking:
- Singapore, Japan, South Korea and several European nations dominate the top positions.
- Afghanistan remains the only passport with access to fewer than 25 destinations.
Also Read: India Loses Visa-Free Entry To Two Countries In 2026 Despite 10-Place Passport Ranking Jump
What This Means For Afghan Travellers
While the Afghan passport offers minimal mobility, the 24 accessible destinations are crucial avenues for essential travel. They also highlight regions where bilateral relations or simplified entry policies still allow some international movement for Afghan nationals.
