Home » Airline News In Africa » Kuwait Beats Bahrain, Bolivia, Morocco, Kenya, and Tanzania in the 2026 Henley Passport Index as Citizens Enjoy Unprecedented Global Travel Freedom and Access to a World of Possibilities
Published on
January 25, 2026
In the 2026 Henley Passport Index, Kuwait has outperformed Bahrain, Bolivia, Morocco, Kenya, and Tanzania, showcasing its citizens’ unprecedented global travel freedom. With Kuwait leading the pack, its passport holders now enjoy expanded access to numerous global destinations, securing a remarkable position among the top-ranked nations. This achievement marks a significant shift, as Kuwaiti citizens gain access to a growing number of countries without the need for a visa. In comparison, countries like Bahrain, Bolivia, Morocco, Kenya, and Tanzania continue to face barriers in their citizens’ international mobility. The 2026 Henley Passport Index highlights these disparities, underscoring the importance of global travel freedom. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to travel freely is more important than ever. Kuwait’s progress signals a new era of opportunity, offering its citizens access to a world of possibilities.
Kuwait: Middle Eastern Powerhouse with Impressive Travel Access
Kuwait’s passport has climbed to an impressive 50th place globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index. Citizens of Kuwait enjoy visa-free access to 96 destinations worldwide. This puts the country’s passport among the top-ranking passports in the Middle East, only behind the UAE, which has historically been one of the strongest in the region.
Kuwaiti passport holders can travel to a range of destinations without the need for pre-arranged visas. The countries that they can access are spread across continents, from regional access within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to wider destinations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, Kuwait’s access does fall behind countries like Qatar and the UAE, which are ranked much higher due to stronger diplomatic ties and a broader range of international agreements.
The rise of Kuwait’s passport ranking underscores the nation’s growing diplomatic ties and soft power, particularly in the Middle East. Kuwait’s citizens can now explore more countries with ease, expanding their travel opportunities significantly.
Bahrain: A Gateway to the World from the Gulf
Bahrain ranks just slightly behind Kuwait at 55th globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 87 destinations. The island nation of Bahrain is known for its strong economic and cultural ties within the Gulf region, and this is reflected in the mobility of its citizens.
Bahrain’s passport is considered relatively strong in the Gulf, although it does fall behind the UAE and Qatar. Bahraini passport holders have access to several important regional and global destinations, including popular European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries. However, Bahrain’s passport holders do not enjoy the same level of global travel ease that Kuwait’s passport offers.
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This ranking highlights Bahrain’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to strengthen relationships with other nations, particularly in Europe and Asia. However, the passport still faces limitations when compared to some of its GCC neighbours, reflecting Bahrain’s slightly lower level of diplomatic influence on the global stage.
Bolivia: Latin American Gateway with Restricted Global Reach
Bolivia, a country in the heart of South America, holds 61st place globally on the 2026 Henley Passport Index, with visa-free access to 78 destinations. This places Bolivia in a mid-tier position among global passports. While Bolivia offers more global mobility than many countries in Latin America, it still falls behind many of its regional peers.
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Bolivian passport holders can visit a number of Latin American countries and select regions globally without needing to apply for a visa. However, Bolivia’s access is somewhat limited when it comes to Europe and North America, where Bolivian citizens may need to apply for a visa in advance. This limited mobility is partially due to Bolivia’s political landscape and the nation’s evolving diplomatic relationships.
Despite these restrictions, Bolivia’s citizens are still able to travel to a broad range of countries in South America, Africa, and Asia, demonstrating that the country has maintained significant access in regions that are key for tourism and business opportunities.
Morocco: A Rising African Power with Expanding Travel Access
Morocco’s passport ranks at approximately 65th globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 72 destinations. This ranking places Morocco firmly in the mid-tier category, with significant travel freedom, particularly within Africa and the Arab world.
Moroccan citizens can travel freely to many countries in North and West Africa, as well as to the European Union. Morocco also has strong ties with several nations in the Middle East and Asia, which grants its citizens additional mobility. However, the country’s passport remains behind many European and some Middle Eastern nations in terms of the number of destinations its holders can access without needing a visa.
Despite these limitations, Morocco’s passport has seen gradual improvements in recent years, reflecting the country’s ongoing diplomatic and economic growth. As Morocco strengthens its relationships with global powers, its citizens are likely to enjoy more travel freedom in the future.
Kenya: A Gateway to Africa and Beyond
Kenya’s passport ranks at approximately 68th globally on the 2026 Henley Passport Index, offering its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 69 destinations. Kenya’s passport has a relatively strong position compared to other African countries, but it still faces barriers when it comes to global travel freedom.
Kenyan passport holders have relatively easy access to other countries within East Africa and the wider African continent. In addition, Kenya has agreements in place that allow citizens to travel to several Asian, Middle Eastern, and even some European destinations with ease. However, when compared to other African nations with stronger passports, such as South Africa, Kenya’s travel opportunities remain limited.
Despite this, Kenya’s growing global influence, particularly in sectors like tourism, trade, and diplomacy, will likely contribute to the strengthening of its passport over time. With improving regional agreements and diplomatic ties, Kenya’s citizens can look forward to better travel access in the future.
Tanzania: Expanding Travel Access from East Africa
Tanzania, located on the east coast of Africa, ranks 69th globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, offering 67 destinations for visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel. While this is a solid rank for an African country, Tanzania’s passport is limited in terms of global reach compared to other nations on the continent and around the world.
Tanzanian passport holders enjoy the ability to travel freely to many countries within Africa, especially within East Africa and some southern African countries. However, when it comes to international travel, especially to Europe and North America, Tanzanians face significant restrictions. Much like Kenya, Tanzania’s passport will likely improve as the country strengthens diplomatic relations globally.
While Tanzania is well positioned in terms of regional mobility, its global standing is still developing. The growing tourism and business sectors in Tanzania may eventually contribute to further mobility for Tanzanian passport holders.
Visa-Free Destinations: A Snapshot of Travel Freedom
Across these six countries, the pattern is clear: while some passport holders enjoy significant mobility, others still face barriers when it comes to global access. Countries like Kuwait and Bahrain boast impressive visa-free scores, while nations such as Bolivia, Kenya, and Tanzania are gradually building diplomatic influence to expand their travel freedom.
These rankings highlight the stark differences in global mobility. For many citizens, a strong passport can unlock the world’s most popular tourist destinations, business hubs, and cultural landmarks. However, for others, travel can still be a challenge due to visa requirements and geopolitical factors.
The Future of Global Mobility
The 2026 Henley Passport Index reflects a rapidly changing global landscape. As countries strengthen their diplomatic ties, travel freedom will continue to evolve. Countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, and Morocco have made great strides in recent years, and the trend is likely to continue as they build stronger international relationships.
On the other hand, countries such as Bolivia, Kenya, and Tanzania still face challenges, though there are opportunities for growth. By fostering diplomatic and trade relationships, these nations can improve the mobility of their citizens, allowing for greater access to the world’s most sought-after destinations.
Understanding the Power of Your Passport
The 2026 Henley Passport Index serves as a vital reminder of how important a passport’s strength is in determining one’s ability to travel the world. While countries like Kuwait and Bahrain lead in terms of visa-free access, nations such as Bolivia, Kenya, and Tanzania have ample room for growth. For travellers, understanding these rankings can help in planning future trips, whether for leisure or business.
As the world continues to change, so too will the strength of passports across the globe. The future is bright for those with strong travel freedom, and nations striving for better diplomatic ties will soon see the benefits of a stronger passport.
