April 11: Henley & Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal's passport as one of the weakest in the world.

The global passport index, released on Sunday by Henley & Partners, has ranked Nepali passport 106th. According to the list, the Nepali passport ranks seventh form the bottom of the list.

Nepal ranks 106th in the list of 112 countries. The organization has also ranked Palestinian territory and Nepal at the same ranking. Nepal's passport is eligible for on-arrival visa in 37 countries. In other words, Nepali passport holders can travel to only 37 countries without a visa. In this respect, Nepal is even weaker than North Korea. North Korean passport, which is just above Nepal in the list, is eligible to receive online visa in 39 countries.

The Nepali passport is ranked higher than Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan which rank between 107th to 112th respectively. Last year, Nepal was ranked 109th with visa on arrival accessibility in 38 countries. A total of 116 countries and territories had been listed during last year, but this year the number has come down to 112.

This year, as in previous years, the Japanese passport is ranked the highest. Japanese passport holders are allowed to enter 192 countries without a visa. Along with Japan, Singapore is also in the top spot. Second, on the list are South Korea and Germany. Passports holders from both the countries are issued on-arrival visas in 190 countries. 

Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain are ranked joint third followed by Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The UK is in fifth place with Portugal, Ireland, and France. The United States is in the list of the world's sixth most powerful passports, along with Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Belgium. India ranks 84th in the list while China ranks 66th.

Sri Lanka, currently facing the worst economic crisis, ranks 103rd in the list of countries. Bangladesh and Pakistan are ranked 104th and 109th respectively. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.