Despite recent losses, there was a positive trend in previous years. In 2024, the Kyrgyz passport reached its peak, allowing visa-free entry to 65 countries. This was a historical record since the index began in 2006, when there were only 28 visa-free destinations. However, in 2025, this positive trend shifted to a decline.
Visa-Free Countries for Kyrgyz Citizens
According to Henley & Partners, holders of the Kyrgyz passport can travel visa-free to countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Vietnam, Haiti, Grenada, Georgia, Dominica, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova, Mongolia, Micronesia, the Cook Islands, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Suriname, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines.The advantages of a "strong" passport are obvious. Citizens of high-ranking countries can travel almost without restrictions around the world. For example, passports from countries like Singapore, Japan, or Germany allow their holders to visit most states without unnecessary formalities, saving time and money on visa processing. Experts estimate that one of the most powerful passports, such as Japan's, opens doors to 85% of the world's countries, which collectively account for about 98% of the global economy. This means that its holders have access to virtually any economically significant point on the planet. In contrast, the weakest passport, such as Afghanistan's, provides visa-free access to only ~12% of countries (about 25 destinations), which account for only ~1% of the world's GDP. Consequently, a high position in the index not only simplifies travel but also reflects international trust in the country, its foreign policy, and level of economic development. Holders of "privileged" passports have more opportunities for doing business abroad, participating in international educational and investment programs, as well as in other global initiatives. In fact, a passport becomes a kind of "pass" into the international community.
Kyrgyzstan's Neighbors
According to the 2026 index, among the Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan has the highest ranking, occupying 61st place and providing access to 78 countries without a visa. This makes the Kazakh passport the strongest among Kyrgyzstan's neighbors. Uzbekistan, as mentioned earlier, is at the same level as Kyrgyzstan, sharing 75th place (61 visa-free destinations). Lower positions are held by Tajikistan at 81st place (54 countries without a visa) and Turkmenistan at 87th place (47 countries).The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is regularly updated to reflect changes in visa regulations. In total, 227 destinations (all sovereign states and key territories) and 199 passports worldwide are analyzed. The maximum possible theoretical "score" is 226 (if a passport allows visiting all countries except the home country without a visa). In practice, even the leaders have not yet reached this level. The index is reviewed quarterly, tracking real changes in countries' visa policies. Until 2018, the ranking was called the "Visa Restrictions Index," which reflected its essence: it could be used to assess how certain countries are limited by visa barriers when their citizens travel abroad.
Reasons for Visa Barriers
Why do some countries have freedom of movement while others face numerous visa barriers or even "visa bans"? The reasons are usually complex and relate to both internal circumstances and how these countries are perceived by others.- Economic and migration factors. Generally, less developed countries have weaker passports because other states fear an influx of migrants. That is, wealthy countries are reluctant to open their borders without visas for citizens of poor states, fearing that visitors may overstay their visas and become illegal migrants. This fear hinders the introduction of visa-free regimes. Countries with high unemployment or unstable economies often face visa restrictions precisely due to the risk of illegal emigration. With the arrival of the Trump administration in the U.S., visa barriers began for Kyrgyzstan and other countries: the validity period of non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visas was shortened, the number of visas issued was reduced, mandatory visa bonds were introduced, and the issuance of immigrant visas was suspended.
- Political instability and security. Countries engulfed in war, terrorist activity, or internal conflicts find themselves isolated on the international stage. Their citizens are subjected to stricter checks, and visa-free agreements with them are rare. For example, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and other conflict-ridden countries consistently rank low in the index, providing fewer than 30–40 visa-free destinations. An unstable political situation, sanctions, and the severing of diplomatic ties make the passports of such countries "high-risk," and their holders often face visa denials.
- Absence of diplomatic agreements. The strength of a passport directly depends on the number of bilateral agreements on mutual visa-free entry. If a country does not actively participate in global processes and does not negotiate visa facilitation, its citizens remain limited in their movements. A striking example is Belarus, which for a long time was the only European country without visa-free agreements with the EU, making its passport the weakest in Europe. Similarly, Kyrgyzstan currently does not have a visa-free travel agreement with the Schengen Area, which restricts the movement of its citizens.
- Image and trust. Visa policy often reflects the level of trust between states. If a country is known for its quality documents, low levels of illegal migration, and constructive foreign policy, other states are more willing to grant its citizens visa-free access. Conversely, cases of abuse (such as mass violations of visa regimes, passport forgery, and failure to return after visas expire) lead to stricter requirements. In recent years, for example, there has been a trend of tightening visa policies even for countries like the U.S. and the U.K., which are losing their positions due to stricter immigration norms and a reduction in the number of visa-free agreements. This underscores that isolation and a lack of flexibility in foreign policy lead to weakened passports.
Improving image and trust is an important task. Internal reforms are significant here: ensuring the reliability of passport documents (which the Kyrgyz authorities are already undertaking), combating illegal migration, and maintaining a transparent migration policy. If the Kyrgyz authorities can guarantee to partners that tourists from Kyrgyzstan comply with visa regulations and return home, this will increase the willingness of other countries to liberalize their visa policies. However, this aspect heavily depends on the behavior of citizens.
It is also important to consider that the economic and social development of the country influences the strength of its passport. Increasing prosperity and stabilizing the situation within the republic reduces citizens' motivation to emigrate, which over time may lead to a relaxation of visa requirements from other states. Additionally, the development of the tourism sector in Kyrgyzstan and mutual simplification of visas for foreign guests will contribute to a "reciprocal courtesy" - countries are more likely to accommodate those who are open to their citizens.
It should be noted that the accessibility of travel is the result of consistent diplomatic efforts. States that actively develop friendly ties and enter into mutually beneficial agreements enhance the global mobility of their citizens. This is the path chosen by the leaders of the rankings, such as Singapore and the UAE, focusing on openness and partnership. For Kyrgyzstan, implementing such a strategy may eventually lead to an improvement in its passport's position and expand opportunities for the free movement and work of its citizens around the world.
