NEW YORK,— The Iraqi passport has dropped further in the latest global ranking, reaffirming its position as one of the weakest travel documents in the world, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index.
The index, released by Henley & Partners, places the Iraqi passport at 104th among 199 countries and territories. Iraqi passport holders can access only 31 destinations without requiring a visa, making it the third weakest passport globally for 2025.
This marks a decline from its previous position of 102nd in 2024, highlighting increased travel restrictions for Iraqis. The 2025 Passport Index, another global passport ranking platform, lists Iraq as the fourth weakest passport in the world.
The worsening ranking underscores the significant limitations Iraqi citizens face when traveling internationally, as many countries require them to obtain visas in advance. Neighboring countries and regions with similar geopolitical challenges, including Syria and Afghanistan, also rank among the lowest on the Henley Passport Index.
2025 Henley Passport Index: Arab and Middle Eastern Countries’ Performance
The 2025 Henley Passport Index reflects the shifting global mobility trends, showing significant improvements for several Middle Eastern and Arab nations.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE stands out as the highest-ranked Arab country, securing 10th place with access to 185 destinations.
- Qatar: With access to 112 destinations, Qatar is ranked 47th.
- Kuwait: Ranked 50th, Kuwait offers visa-free access to 99 destinations.
- Bahrain: Holding 58th place, Bahrain offers access to 87 destinations.
- Saudi Arabia: Ranked 58th, sharing the position with Bahrain, providing access to 87 destinations.
- Oman: Positioned at 59th, Oman grants visa-free access to 86 destinations.
Other Arab countries performed as follows:
- Jordan: 89th with access to 53 destinations.
- Lebanon: Ranked 95th with 45 destinations.
- Egypt: Holding 90th with 52 destinations.
- Morocco: Ranked 69th with 73 destinations.
- Algeria: Ranked 86th with 56 destinations.
- Tunisia: 73rd, granting 69 destinations.
At the lower end, Iraq is ranked 104th with access to 31 destinations, while Syria remains at the bottom of the index, ranked 105th with access to only 27 destinations.
This index reflects the varying diplomatic relations, economic factors, and regional cooperation that shape the global mobility of citizens in these countries.
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