Tajikistan’s Passport Remains Among the World’s Weakest

Tajikistan's passport has once again ranked among the lowest globally in terms of travel freedom, highlighting the country’s ongoing limitations in global mobility. This is according to the updated 2025 Visa Index ranking, Tajikistan placed 84th out of more than 90 countries surveyed. Holders of Tajik passports can travel visa-free to just 23 countries. An additional 33 countries offer visas on arrival, and two allow electronic travel authorizations (eTAs). Entry into 40 countries requires an e-visa, while advance visas are mandatory for 131 destinations. Compared to other former Soviet republics, Tajikistan trails significantly behind. Ukraine ranks 28th with 149 visa-free destinations, Georgia 45th (125 countries), Kazakhstan 63rd (82), Kyrgyzstan 79th (63), and Uzbekistan 80th (62). The only country in the region with a weaker passport is Turkmenistan, which ranks 92nd, offering access to just 48 countries. An alternative ranking by Passport Index places Tajikistan 66th, counting 23 visa-free countries, 47 with visa-on-arrival options, and four that accept eTAs. These slight differences arise from variations in methodology and recognition of visa regimes. Official data from Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs partially supports these findings, listing 35 visa-free destinations. These include 23 countries that offer unrestricted entry to Tajik citizens, regardless of passport category. Among them are Russia, Iran, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Malaysia, Belarus, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite modest improvements, Tajik citizens still face significant challenges when traveling to most developed countries. Entry into the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia, 131 countries in total, requires advance visa processing. Experts note that visa liberalization depends on numerous factors, including political and economic stability, diplomatic engagement, and international trust. Rankings like Visa Index and Passport Index evaluate travel freedom based on the number of countries accessible via visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, or eTA. The highest-ranked passports provide access to over 180 destinations without the need for prior visas. For citizens of countries with "weak" passports, some turn to citizenship-by-investment programs to circumvent travel restrictions, especially businesspeople or frequent international travelers seeking broader mobility. Tajikistan’s passport remains one of the least mobile in the world. While visa-free travel to CIS and selected Asian countries provides some leeway, broader global access remains limited. Improving this situation will require intensified diplomatic negotiations and stronger economic partnerships that could eventually influence international visa policies.