10 Least Powerful Passports In The World In 2021

Henley Passport Index has released World's least powerful passports in 2021, with Iran, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Sudan hold the first rank on the passport index, while the second position is shared by Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya.
October 08, 2021 | 22:36

The most recent data from the Henley Passport Index shows a worrying gap in global mobility, the biggest in the index’s 16-year-history.

Passport holders from top-ranking nations Japan and Singapore are able to travel visa free to 166 more destinations than Afghans, who rank last and can only access 26 countries without requiring a visa in advance.

Many countries with high-ranking passports have enforced stringent inbound Covid-19-related travel restrictions.

Japan and Singapore stood at the top of this year’s list, with their passports holders allowed to travel visa-free to 192 countries, while South Korea and Germany share the second position. For the third consecutive year, Japan has secured the top position. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen are among the least powerful.

Take a look at these world’s 10 least powerful passports.

1. Iran, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Sudan (Score:41)

 European Parliament
European Parliament

Visa requirements for Iranian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Iran by the authorities of other states. As of February 2020, Iranian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 41 countries and territories, ranking the Iranian passport 98th in terms of travel freedom (tied with passports from Bangladesh, Dem. Rep. of Congo and Eritrea) according to the Henley Passport Index.

As of 13 April 2021, citizens of the Republic of Lebanon had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 41 sovereign countries and territories, ranking the Lebanese passport 100th in terms of travel freedom (tied with Bangladesh and Sudan) according to the Henley Passport Index

Visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Sri Lanka. As of 07 July 2020, Sri Lankan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 42 countries and territories, ranking the Sri Lankan passport 100th in terms of travel freedom (tied with passports from Congo (Dem. Rep.), and Eritrea) according to the Henley Passport Index.

Visa requirements for Sudanese citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Sudan. As of 2 July 2019, Sudanese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 37 countries and territories, ranking the Sudanese passport 103rd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index. Visa not required for Égypt and Lebanon.

2. Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya (Score: 40)

 HSBC Commercial Banking - HSBC Group
HSBC Commercial Banking - HSBC Group

As of 2 July 2019, Bangladeshi citizens who hold regular or ordinary Bangladeshi passports have visa free or visa on arrival access to 41 countries and territories, ranking the Bangladeshi passport 101st in terms of travel freedom (tied with passports from Eritrea, Iran, Lebanon and North Korea) according to the Henley Passport Index.

Visa requirements for Kosovan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Republic of Kosovo. As of 02 July 2019, Kosovan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 41 countries and territories, ranking the Kosovan passport 100th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

Visa requirements for Libyan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Libya.

As of 02 July 2019, Libyan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 37 countries and territories, ranking the Libyan passport 103rd in terms of travel freedom (tied with the passports of Palestinian Territory and Sudan) according to the Henley Passport Index.

3. North Korea (Score: 39)

Visa requirements for North Korean citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of North Korea by the authorities of other states.

As of 2 July 2019, North Korean citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 39 countries and territories, ranking the North Korean passport 101st in terms of travel freedom, tied with passports issued by Bangladesh, Eritrea, Iran and Lebanon according to the Henley Passport Index.

4. Nepal, Palestinian Territory (Score: 37)

 UNCTAD
UNCTAD

Visa requirements for Nepalese citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Nepal. As of 02 July 2019, Nepalese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 38 countries and territories, ranking the Nepalese passport 102nd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

Visa requirements for Palestinian citizens, are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states which are imposed on citizens of Palestine who holds a passport issued by the Palestinian Authority. As of 13 October 2020, Palestinian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 38 countries and territories, ranking the Palestinian passport 101st in terms of travel freedom (tied with passports issued by Libya and Nepal) according to the Henley Passport Index.

5. Somalia (Score: 34)

 Chemonics International
Chemonics International

Visa requirements for Somali citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Somalia by the authorities of other states.

As of 2 July 2019, Somali citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 30 countries and territories, ranking the Somali passport 105th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

6. Yemen (Score: 33)

Photo: Thomas Briand
Photo: Thomas Briand

Visa requirements for Yemeni citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Yemen. As of 02 July 2019, Yemeni citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 33 countries and territories, ranking the Yemeni passport 104th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

7. Pakistan (Score: 31)

 Photo: Intrepid Travel
Photo: Intrepid Travel

Visa requirements for Pakistani citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Pakistan by the authorities of other states. As of 2 July 2021 Quater 3 of 2021, Pakistani citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 36 countries and territories, ranking the Pakistani passport 104th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index .

8. Syria (Score: 29)

Visa requirements for Syrian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Syria. As of 1 October 2019, Syrian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 29 countries and territories, ranking the Syrian passport 107th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

9. Iraq (Score: 28)

Photo: Nature Iraq Twitter
Photo: Nature Iraq Twitter

Visa requirements for Iraqi citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Iraq. As of 13 April 2021, Iraqi citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 28 countries and territories, ranking the Iraqi passport 109th in the world in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

10. Afghanistan (Score: 26)

Photo: Business Insider
Photo: Business Insider

Visa requirements for Afghan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Afghanistan. As of 5 April 2020, Afghan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 26 countries and territories, ranking the Afghan passport 110th and worst in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.

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