A passport is more than just a travel document. It also determines your international mobility, personal freedom, and access to global business, education and healthcare opportunities. While powerful passports open doors to visa-free travel, business expansion, and better living conditions, the weakest passports can significantly limit these freedoms due to international travel restrictions, political instability, or strained diplomatic relations.
In this article, we explore the weakest passports in the world in 2025, based on global passport ranking reports, and explain why securing a second passport through legal means like Citizenship by Investment (CBI) may offer a valuable solution for those with limited mobility.
What defines a weak passport?
A passport is considered “weak” when it allows little to no visa-free access to other countries. Factors that influence a passport’s ranking include:
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: The number of destinations a passport holder can enter without a prior visa.
- Geopolitical stability: Countries experiencing conflict, sanctions, or diplomatic isolation typically have limited access.
- Bilateral relations: Weak diplomatic ties often result in more visa restrictions.
- Lack of consular reach: Citizens of countries with few embassies abroad face challenges in visa processing and travel emergencies.
- Stateless passports: Individuals without recognized citizenship often face near-total mobility restrictions.
Global Passport Mobility Rankings: Bottom 10 Weakest Passports
The following list ranks the world’s least powerful passports in 2025 based on enhanced mobility scores, which is a combination of visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa access totals.
According to the Enhanced Mobility Score from the Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions, these passports offer the most limited travel access and global mobility.
1. Afghanistan
Enhanced Mobility Score: 61
Afghanistan is considered to be the world’s weakest passport due to factors like persistent conflict, terrorism, and limited international ties.
Passport holders have access to only four visa-free countries, including Dominica and Suriname. Most other travel requires prior visa approval, and many nations outright reject entry without extensive vetting.
2. Syria
Enhanced Mobility Score: 62
Long-term armed conflict and global sanctions make Syrian passports among the least accepted. Most visa-free or visa-on-arrival access is restricted to a handful of countries.
3. Iraq
Enhanced Mobility Score: 64
With severe political instability and economic challenges, Iraqi citizens face barriers to global mobility. They have very limited visa-free access and face scrutiny in embassy visa processing.
4. Somalia
Enhanced Mobility Score: 66
Due to statelessness concerns, many countries do not recognize Somali passports for visa-free travel. Citizens are often required to present residence permits or secondary documentation to enter countries like the US or UK.
5. Yemen
Enhanced Mobility Score: 67
Ongoing civil conflict and humanitarian crisis have impacted Yemen’s diplomatic standing. Mobility is severely restricted, and many countries impose entry bans or special screening for Yemeni passport holders.
6. Palestinian Territories
Enhanced Mobility Score: 70
Due to complex legal recognition and travel limitations from Israeli-controlled borders, Palestinian passports offer limited global mobility.
7. North Korea
Enhanced Mobility Score: 70
Severe state restrictions on movement mean few citizens even hold passports. Those that do must seek special government clearance for travel, and international acceptance is minimal.
8. Pakistan
Enhanced Mobility Score: 71
Pakistan’s passport ranks low due to security concerns, internal instability, and limited bilateral visa agreements. Citizens face extensive visa requirements across most of Europe and North America.
9. Libya
Enhanced Mobility Score: 71
Post-civil war instability and weak central governance result in travel restrictions. Visa-free access is largely limited to fellow North African and Caribbean countries.
10. Iran
Enhanced Mobility Score: 71
Sanctions, geopolitical isolation, and limited embassy presence abroad restrict Iranian passport holders’ travel, especially to the US, UK, and Schengen Area.
Why Weak Passports Limit More Than Just Travel
Weak passports not only block visa-free access but also:
- Delay embassy and visa processing.
- Increase dependence on expensive visa services.
- Limit eligibility for business relocation, education, or medical treatment abroad.
- Reduce safety and mobility in crises (for example during natural disasters or armed conflict).
What can you do if you hold a weak passport?
The 2025 Global RCBI Report, described as “the most comprehensive and balanced comparison of global RCBI options to date”, underscores how mobility limitations of weak passports can be remedied through strategic investment migration.
If you’re a citizen of a country with limited passport strength, you may consider getting second citizenship or residency in a more globally connected nation. This can be done through:
Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
Citizenship by Investment programs in countries like St. Kitts and Nevis, Malta, and Dominica offer legal, fast-tracked citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment, such as a donation to a national fund or an approved business venture.
Residency by Investment (RBI)
These Residency by Investment programs allow long-term residence and potential citizenship after a few years. Countries like Portugal, Greece, and Spain have attractive residency routes through capital transfer or cultural donations.
Benefits of Obtaining a Second Passport
Holding a second passport from a stronger nation offers:
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 100+ countries.
- Alternative residency during political or health crises.
- Access to better offshore banking and investment options.
- Business relocation and remote work flexibility.
- Secure options for family migration.
- More favorable taxation (in select countries).
Top Countries for Second Citizenship in 2025
Here are the countries whose passports are considered the most beneficial for global mobility and expat lifestyle:
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Access | |
| 1 |  | Germany | 174 |
| 2 |  | Sweden | 174 |
| 3 |  | Finland | 174 |
| 4 |  | Denmark | 174 |
| 5 |  | Netherlands | 174 |
| 6 |  | Singapore | 174 |
| 7 |  | Australia | 7174 |
| 8 |  | France | 174 |
| 9 |  | Ireland | 174 |
| 10 |  | New Zealand | 174 |
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