Nepal ranked 98th in global passport power index, receives on-arrival visa in 38 countries

KATHMANDU, July 19: Nepal’s passport has been placed in the 98th position among 103 countries in the list of the world’s most powerful passports. According to The Henley Passport Index survey, which ranks passports based on the number of on-arrival visa privileges, the Nepali passport stands at the eighth position from the bottom.

The report by The Henley Passport Index highlights that the passport of Nepal grants on-arrival visa access in only 38 countries.

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan holds the weakest passport, ranked at 103rd, with on-arrival visa access in just 27 countries. Iraq follows closely at 29 countries, while Syrian passports secure visa-on-arrival in 30 countries.

Pakistan fares slightly better with 33 countries, while Yemen and Somalia enjoy 35 visa-on-arrival privileges. Alongside conflict-affected Palestine, Nepal shares the same number of visa-on-arrival access in 38 countries.

Surprisingly, North Korea’s passport surpasses these countries, receiving such visas in 39 countries. Bangladesh’s passport secures on-arrival visas in 40 countries, while Sri Lanka and Libya obtain such privileges in 41 countries. Kosovo enjoys the privilege of on-arrival visas in 42 countries.

At the top of the list, Singapore holds the most powerful passport, granting on-arrival visas in 192 countries, followed by Germany, Italy, and Spain with access to 190 countries each.

The Henley Passport Index bases its study on special data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), encompassing 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.