You would often hear news about how Nigerians sleep, and are subjected to degrading experiences at the embassies of foreign countries just to get a Visa to those countries, and also about how they are treated with suspicion at the airports of foreign countries. Yet, citizens of some other countries have it very easy, as they do not require a Visa to enter many countries.
A CNN report says that with a German passport, travellers can enter 177 out of 218 countries and territories without a visa, according to the 2016 Visa Restrictions Index, making it occupy the enviable top spot.
The list, compiled annually since 2006 by London-based consulting firm Henley and Partners and the International Air Transport Association, ranks nations by how freely their citizens, unhindered by Visa requirements, can explore the planet.
Immediately behind Germany, holding its position as runner-up for the second year running is Sweden with visa-free access to 176 countries. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom — which had topped the list since 2013 — are now tied for third place, making Northern and Western European citizens the most privileged in international travel.
At the bottom of the list, labeled countries with the worst passports are Afghanistan, at 104, followed by Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria.
What Makes Some Countries Better Than Others?
Criteria that a country will consider when considering giving visa-free access to citizens of another country may include diplomatic relationships between the countries, reciprocal visa arrangements, security risks, or risks of violation of visa terms.
See the list of the countries with the best and worst passports, and the corresponding number of countries that allow their citizens Visa-free access.
World’s best passports (by number of countries granting visa-free access)
1. Germany — 177
2. Sweden — 176
3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, UK — 175
4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, U.S. — 174
5. Austria, Japan, Singapore — 173
6. Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Switzerland — 172
7. Greece, New Zealand — 171
8. Australia — 169
9. Malta — 168
10. Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland — 167
11. Slovakia — 165
12. Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Slovenia — 164
13. Latvia — 163
14. Estonia, Lithuania — 162
15. Poland — 161
16. Monaco — 160
17. Cyprus — 159
18. San Marino — 156
19. Chile — 155
20. Hong Kong — 154
World’s worst passports
94. Liberia — 43
95. Burundi, North Korea, Myanmar — 42
96. Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka — 39
97. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen — 38
98. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, Sudan — 37
99. Libya — 36
100. Syria — 32
101. Somalia — 31
102. Iraq — 30
103. Pakistan — 29
104. Afghanistan — 25
Though, the position that Nigeria occupies is not included, but if the stories that dear Nigerians tell about their experiences are true, that number will be pretty low.