Passports serve as more than travel documents; they are symbols of global inequality and shifting geopolitical power. Some passport holders can travel freely across borders, while others face lengthy visa processes and uncertainty.
How Passport Strength Is Measured
The Passport Index tracks mobility scores by counting countries, states, and territories accessible without a traditional visa. This includes visa-free entry, visa on arrival, electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or fast-track e-visa. Over the past decade, more countries have gained access to more destinations, suggesting a more open world.
According to Armand Arton, founder of Passport Index, "People think that walls are increasing as the extreme right is coming [into government] in various places around the world. But what the statistics are saying is that an increasing number of countries are signing visa-free agreements."
Biggest Climbers in Passport Rankings
Small island nations have seen significant rises as they earned visa-free status from developing countries. Arton attributes this to their small populations, which pose minimal security threats, and a moral obligation to aid those on the frontline of the climate crisis. China has also moved up by expanding bilateral agreements with regional neighbours, notably a visa-free pact with Singapore in February 2024 that sharply increased travel.
Countries signing visa-free agreements with the Schengen area—29 European nations—can jump in rankings almost overnight. Georgia, Ukraine, and Kosovo are among the top climbers. Vjosa Musliu, an associate professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, notes the joy of seeing relatives travel without the burden of visa costs, which can reach nearly £300. However, she warns that visa-free travel does not guarantee entry: "Technically you can travel for free, but there is still subjective interrogation that takes place at borders."
The Lowest-Ranking Passports
While most passports gained mobility, some fell. Vanuatu dropped 14 positions after the EU and UK removed it from visa-exempt lists due to concerns over its investor citizenship scheme. The US fell five places to ninth tier, largely due to reciprocity—countries tightening visa requirements in response to US policies.
Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Somalia remain at the bottom. An Afghan passport allows visa-free travel to only three countries, while 113 require a consulate visa. Afghan holders are also barred from the US, which has a full travel ban on 19 countries and partial restrictions on 20 others.
Omar Artan, the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup, was denied entry to the US despite being on FIFA's final list. Visual artist Syed Hussain from Pakistan waited five years for a US residency visa, finally granted in 2024. "You get the chance to go somewhere, and they hold you back for five years, and they don’t give you the reason why," Hussain said. "It’s a 10-minute interview in which you cannot clarify your things."
Reciprocity and the Welcoming Score
Passport Index introduced a "welcoming score" measuring how many countries' passport holders can enter a destination visa-free or with simplified procedures. The US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have strong passports but relatively closed borders. Conversely, South Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have weak passports but admit foreign visitors more easily.
The Schengen Effect
The Schengen area grants visa-free access to nearly half the world's countries. However, passport holders from south and southeast Asia, northern Africa, central Asia, the Middle East, and most of sub-Saharan Africa must obtain a visa in advance from a consulate.
Future Trends
Passport mobility is likely to increase through new bilateral and regional agreements. Africa remains the least integrated region, with only 29% of intra-continental travel visa-free. Traditional visas are being replaced by digital ETAs and e-visas, driven by advances in border security and digital immigration management. Arton notes that travellers who previously enjoyed visa-free access may now need electronic authorisation before departure. For example, the EU plans to introduce the Etias system by end of 2025 for visitors currently travelling visa-free.
Data from Passport Index as of June 2026. Visa requirements can change; always check official government sources before travelling.
