Kathmandu: Nepal’s passport ranks 101st in the Henley Passport Index for the first half of 2025, granting holders visa-free access to just 39 countries. This positions Nepal among nations with weaker passports compared to global leaders such as Singapore, whose passport remains the world’s most powerful, offering visa-free access to 195 countries.
The Henley Passport Index, a global ranking of passports based on their visa-free access, highlights Singapore’s passport at the top, followed by Japan in second place with access to 193 countries. South Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Finland share the third position, with their passports offering visa-free entry to 192 countries.
In comparison, South Asian passports remain relatively weak. Nepal’s passport, ranked 101st, trails behind Bhutan (90th) and India (85th), which grants its citizens visa-free access to 57 countries. However, India’s ranking has dropped by five places since the previous year.
Notably, Pakistan holds the 103rd position, granting visa-free access to only 33 countries. Other countries with weaker passports than Pakistan include Iraq (104th), Syria (105th), and Afghanistan (106th). Meanwhile, Somalia and Palestine rank above Pakistan, with Somalia’s passport placed at 102nd.
Countries such as Nepal and Pakistan continue to struggle with passport strength, highlighting the challenges faced by citizens from these regions in terms of international travel opportunities.