The Best and Worst Passports for 2024 have been released. A passport is the most important document required to travel outside the country or from one country to another. The stronger your country’s passport, the more countries you can visit without a visa.
The ‘Henley Passport Index for 2022,’ a London-based immigration consultancy, has published a ranking of passports from around the world, including a ranking of all 199 countries’ passports from strongest to weakest. This ranking indicates which countries’ citizens have the most freedom to travel.
The most potent passport
Japan, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria, and Denmark are among the top ten countries on this list.
In 2022
| Passport | Rank | Country Access Score |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 1 | 193 |
| Singapore | 2 | 192 |
| South Korea | 2 | 192 |
| Germany | 3 | 190 |
| Spain | 3 | 190 |
| Finland | 4 | 189 |
| Italy | 4 | 189 |
| Luxembourg | 4 | 189 |
| Austria | 5 | 188 |
| Denmark | 5 | 188 |
In 2024
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 194 | Tied for first; strong EU diplomatic ties |
| 1 | Germany | 194 | Tied for first; regained visa-free access to China |
| 1 | Italy | 194 | Tied for first; benefits from EU mobility |
| 1 | Japan | 194 | Tied for first; long-time leader until 2024 |
| 1 | Singapore | 194 | Tied for first; topped rankings solo in previous years |
| 1 | Spain | 194 | Tied for first; enhanced by EU agreements |
| 2 | Finland | 193 | Tied for second; consistent high performer |
| 2 | South Korea | 193 | Tied for second; strong Asian presence |
| 2 | Sweden | 193 | Tied for second; Nordic stability boosts ranking |
| 3 | Austria | 192 | Tied for third; EU membership aids travel freedom |
| 3 | Denmark | 192 | Tied for third; Nordic diplomacy enhances access |
| 3 | Ireland | 192 | Tied for third; benefits from EU and historical ties |
| 3 | Netherlands | 192 | Tied for third; strong economic and diplomatic relations |
The Worst Passports
According to this ranking of powerful passports, some countries’ passports are in very poor condition, and they were placed at the bottom of the index.
In 2022
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has the world’s weakest passport, ranked 112th or last on this list. Only 26 countries allow Afghan residents to travel visa-free.
Iraq
Iraq is ranked just above Afghanistan. Iraqi passports allow visa-free travel to 28 countries.
Syria
Syria is ranked third on the list of countries with the weakest passports. With a Syrian passport, you can visit only 29 countries without a visa.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s passport is the fourth weakest in the world. Only 31 countries can be visited without a visa using this passport.
In 2024
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | Afghanistan | 28 | Bottom rank; ongoing conflict severely limits diplomatic relations |
| 103 | Syria | 29 | Civil war and instability restrict travel freedom |
| 102 | Iraq | 31 | Post-conflict challenges and security concerns impact mobility |
| 101 | Pakistan | 34 | Political instability and security issues limit visa-free access |
| 100 | Yemen | 35 | Civil war and humanitarian crisis hinder international agreements |
| 99 | Somalia | 36 | Lack of stable governance affects passport strength |
| 98 | Nepal | 40 | Economic and diplomatic limitations; tied with Palestinian Territory |
| 98 | Palestinian Territory | 40 | Political status and restricted recognition constrain travel |
| 97 | Bangladesh | 41 | Economic challenges and regional dynamics limit visa-free destinations |
| 96 | North Korea | 42 | Isolationist policies and minimal diplomatic ties restrict mobility |