Afghanistan retains status as world’s weakest passport in February 2026 Henley Index

Afghan passport holders can access only 24 destinations without a prior visa, placing the country 101st in the rankings, behind all other nations.

Despite this limited mobility, Afghans can still travel to select countries either visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or via electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

These destinations provide critical avenues for tourism, family visits, trade, and transit.

Accessible destinations for Afghan passport holders

Visa-Free (4 countries): Cook Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia
Visa-On-Arrival (17 countries): Madagascar, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Macao (SAR China), Maldives, Mozambique, Palau, Rwanda, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Djibouti, Niue
ETA (3 countries): Sri Lanka, Kenya, Seychelles

The Henley Passport Index evaluates the number of destinations a passport allows access to without a pre-arranged visa.

Afghanistan’s low ranking reflects limited diplomatic engagement, ongoing security concerns, and travel restrictions imposed by many countries.

Global context

In contrast, countries like Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and several European nations occupy the top positions, offering passport holders wide international mobility.

Afghanistan remains the only country with access to fewer than 25 destinations.

While the Afghan passport provides minimal global access, the 24 destinations remain important for essential travel.

These include small island nations, African states, regional neighbours, and countries like Bangladesh, which offer visa-on-arrival access.

The ranking underscores both the challenges Afghan nationals face in international travel and the limited regions where bilateral agreements or simplified entry policies provide mobility.