Nepali Passport Slips in Global Rankings, Among the Weakest

The strength of the Nepali passport has considerably diminished in comparison to those from many other countries. On a global scale, Nepal's passport ranks eighth from the bottom, now considered weaker than Bangladesh's and North Korea's passports.

According to the 2024 Powerful Passports List published by Henley, Nepal has secured eighth place from the end and ranks 98th overall. The strongest passports belong to France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain – all tying for first place. These nations' citizens can enter 194 countries without obtaining a pre-visa.

Holders of the seventh-ranked United States passport can gain access to 188 countries without an advance visa. India's passport is ranked 80th, permitting visa-on-arrival entry to 62 countries. China's passport holds the 62nd place, providing visa-on-arrival access to 85 nations.

With a Nepali passport, individuals can visit 40 countries without needing a visa. In comparison within South Asia, Sri Lanka’s passport – which is stronger than that of Nepal – allows entry into 43 countries. The passports of Bangladesh and North Korea enable access to 42 countries.

The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports from different nations based on data provided by the International Air Transport Association. The rankings depend on how many countries citizens of each nation can visit without first obtaining a visa for their journey.