Which Are The World's Weakest Passports? 10 Countries Make It To The List

Not everyone enjoys the same level of travel freedom around the world. While citizens of some countries hold passports that allow almost unrestricted international access, many others encounter major hurdles. In 2025, a few nations issue passports that give their holders very limited options for visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel. This restriction affects everything from career opportunities to personal freedoms, putting millions at a disadvantage when pursuing education, jobs or healthcare abroad. The Henley Passport Index 2025 ranks nine countries at the very bottom globally. Read on to learn which nations carry the world's weakest passports and why.

Also Read: India Slips To 85th Spot On 2025 Henley Passport Index. Here Are 57 Countries You Can Visit Visa-Free

Here Are The 10 Weakest Passports In The World As Of 2025:

1. Afghanistan

For years, Afghanistan has consistently ranked as the world's weakest passport, a direct consequence of decades of conflict and the recent change in governance. The current political situation and lack of broad international recognition mean that Afghan citizens face nearly universal travel restrictions. They are required to obtain extensive, difficult to secure visas for almost every country, severely limiting global movement and isolating the population from educational and economic opportunities worldwide.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 104

2. Syria

Due to the prolonged civil war, massive internal displacement, and ongoing humanitarian crisis, the Syrian passport is one of the most restricted globally. Many nations have imposed extremely strict entry controls or completely halted visa processing for Syrians, citing significant security and refugee concerns. This makes legal international travel exceptionally challenging.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 103

3. Iraq

Persistent security concerns, including transnational crime and the lingering effects of military conflicts, contribute to the consistently low score for Iraq. Despite improving diplomatic relations with some regional neighbours and efforts toward stabilisation, Iraqi citizens still face highly rigorous screening processes globally. The country's geopolitical status means travellers must overcome widespread suspicion to gain entry anywhere.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 102

4. Pakistan

Pakistan faces difficulties due to heightened regional political tensions, ongoing border disputes and domestic security challenges. While it offers slightly better access than the bottom three, its score remains very low, signaling a high level of international scrutiny. This forces Pakistani citizens to navigate complex, time consuming and often expensive visa application processes for nearly every international destination.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 101

5. Yemen

The ongoing civil conflict in Yemen has resulted in the world's most severe humanitarian crisis, directly translating into crippling travel restrictions. This instability means most international destinations view the Yemeni passport with extreme caution and require a prearranged visa, often difficult to obtain, for entry.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 101

6. Somalia

The prolonged absence of a fully stable central government and prevalent security issues due to extremist activity mean the Somali passport is widely viewed with significant caution internationally. Global institutions hesitate to recognise official documents, contributing to one of the lowest visa scores. Consequently, visa free or visa on arrival travel options are extremely scarce.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 100

7. Nepal

Nepal stands out on this list because its low travel score comes mainly from limited economic influence and strict visa policies, not from ongoing conflict. The country has fewer strong international agreements that allow easy entry into major nations. As a result, Nepalese citizens still need visas in advance for many top destinations.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 99

8. Palestinian Territories

The complex political situation and lack of full international recognition greatly limit the strength of the Palestinian passport. Travel often requires multiple clearances and additional security documents, making movement difficult even for essential needs. Hence, Palestinian residents have very few visa-free options and face strict entry rules in most countries.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 99

9. Libya

Since 2011, political instability and ongoing violence in Libya have weakened the reputation of its passport. With no unified government, verifying documents becomes harder for other countries, leading to poor global acceptance. For this reason, Libyan citizens face tough and complex visa requirements around the world.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 98

Also Read: How To Change Address In Indian Passport: A Step-By-Step Guide

10. North Korea

North Korea's passport is one of the most isolated in the world, not only due to external restrictions but also because of its own government's tight control over foreign travel. Very few countries offer visa-free access to North Korean citizens. International sanctions, restricted diplomacy and the nation's closed political system make global mobility extremely limited.

• Global Rank Out Of 104: 98

In a world where travel can open doors to new opportunities and experiences, these ten countries face some of the most severe restrictions on movement.