Iraqi passport remains world's third weakest in 2026: Henley Index

NEW YORK,— Iraq’s passport has been ranked among the weakest in the world, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 29 countries, according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index.

The ranking places Iraq 99th globally, making it the third worst after Syria and Afghanistan, the agency reported.

The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, evaluates 199 passports and 227 travel destinations based on visa requirements.

The 2026 report uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and tracks trends over the last two decades, providing a global measure of passport strength.

Historically, Iraq’s passport has fluctuated in ranking. It stood at 81st in 2006, gradually declining over the years with some recovery in 2026.

The decade-by-decade rankings show Iraq at 81st in 2006, slipping to 100th by 2011, dropping further to 115th in 2021, then ranking 102nd in 2024 and 104th in 2025, before climbing slightly to 99th this year.

In contrast, passports from other Arab countries offer significantly greater travel freedom in 2026, according to the Henley Passport Index.

The United Arab Emirates leads the region, ranked fifth worldwide, with visa-free access to 184 countries. Other Gulf nations, including Qatar (47th), Kuwait (50th), Saudi Arabia (54th), Bahrain (55th), Oman (57th), and Tunisia (70th), also rank higher than Iraq.

Global leaders in passport strength include Singapore in first place, followed by Japan and South Korea. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden share the third spot.

Experts note that despite Iraq’s oil wealth, decades of armed conflict, sectarian violence, political instability, and corruption continue to undermine the country’s international mobility.

Thousands of Iraqis, including many from the Kurdistan Region, are leaving the country each year in search of better opportunities in Europe.

The Henley Passport Index remains a widely cited benchmark for measuring the relative strength of passports and the ease of international travel. Iraq’s persistent low ranking underscores ongoing challenges for its citizens seeking to travel abroad.