Kazakhstan Ascends Globally in Passport Power, Emerging as Central Asia's Pioneer
Kazakhstan's Passport Ranking Improves to 63rd, Granting Visa-Free Access to 79 Countries
Kazakhstan's global standing in the Henley Passport Index has improved significantly, with its passport rising three positions to 63rd place. This marks the country's highest ranking ever and the best among Central Asian countries in 2025. As a result, Kazakh passport holders can now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 79 countries, reflecting the country's expanding diplomatic ties and its reputation as a safe, accessible travel destination.
The Henley Passport Index, a globally recognised measure of a country's global standing and travel accessibility, ranks 199 passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without a prior visa. In comparison to other Central Asian nations, Kazakhstan leads the region by a comfortable margin. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan follow behind, while Tajikistan and Turkmenistan rank lower with fewer visa-free destinations accessible to their citizens.
| Country | Global Rank | Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Access | |---------------|-------------|---------------------------------| | Kazakhstan | 63rd | 79 countries | | Kyrgyz Republic | 73rd | 63 countries | | Uzbekistan | 74th | 62 countries | | Tajikistan | 80th | 56 countries | | Turkmenistan | 85th | 49 countries |
European countries continue to dominate the top ten of the Henley Passport Index, with Singapore remaining at the top for the second consecutive year, granting its citizens access to 193 countries without a visa. Japan and South Korea share the second place, with access to 190 destinations each.
Afghanistan is ranked 99th, with access to only 25 countries, highlighting the vast disparity in global travel accessibility. The improvement in Kazakhstan's ranking is significant within the context of Central Asian countries and indicates a strengthening of the country's international relations.
Kazakhstan is considered a safe destination for international travel, making it an attractive choice for tourists and businesses alike. The country's rise in the Henley Passport Index underscores its growing global integration and success in expanding travel freedoms for its citizens.
Sources: [1] gov.kz [2] Henley & Partners, 2025 Henley Passport Index [3] The National, "Kazakhstan's passport ranked 63rd in the world amid improving global travel freedom," 2025. [4] The Astana Times, "Kazakhstan's passport ranks 63rd in the world," 2025.
In light of Kazakhstan's passport ranking improvement, Kazakh passport holders can now expand their travel destinations, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 79 countries worldwide. Consequently, this improvement might also attract investors and businesses that appreciate the growing stability and finance-friendly environment of Kazakhstan's industry and lifestyle.
