नेपाली पासपोर्ट झन् कमजोर, विश्वकै सातौँ दुर्बल राहदानीको सूचीमाNepal's Passport Weakens Further, Ranked Seventh Worst in the World

KATHMANDU — Nepal's passport has once again slipped in global rankings, reaffirming a troubling trend that has persisted for years. According to the latest May 2026 update of the Henley Passport Index, published by the London-based consultancy Henley & Partners, Nepal now holds the distinction of having the seventh weakest passport in the world.

The Henley Passport Index ranks countries based on the number of destinations their passport holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. On this measure, Nepal has taken a notable step backward this year — the number of countries accessible visa-free or through a visa-on-arrival facility has fallen from 39 last year to just 35 in the current ranking.

The figure marks the lowest point Nepal's passport has reached in over a decade. A review of historical data shows that since 2016, Nepal's visa-free score had fluctuated between 37 and 40 destinations, touching its peak of 40 in both 2018 and 2024. The current score of 35 breaks that floor, representing the weakest travel access Nepali passport holders have had in recent memory.

Experts argue that a passport's strength is not merely a travel convenience — it reflects the depth of a country's diplomatic relationships, the quality of its bilateral engagements, and the credibility it commands in the international community. Seen in that light, the continued erosion of Nepal's passport power raises broader questions about the country's foreign policy effectiveness.

The practical consequences fall squarely on ordinary citizens. Nepalis seeking to travel abroad for business, education, tourism, or personal reasons now face an expanding list of countries where a lengthy and often costly visa application process is unavoidable. Analysts say the government must pursue more proactive diplomatic efforts to reverse this trend and expand the reach of the Nepali passport on the world stage.