According to the updated Visa Index ranking, Tajikistan ranked 84th among nearly 200 countries in terms of travel freedom. Holders of a Tajik foreign passport (passport for international travels) can visit 23 countries without a visa, 33 countries offer a visa on arrival, and 2 countries require an electronic travel authorization (eTA).  To enter 40 countries, a visa is required, and 131 countries require prior visa approval, Visa Index, an online platform that provides information on passport rankings and visa requirements, reports.

According to VisaIndex 2025, the gap between Tajikistan and other post-Soviet countries remains significant.  For example, Ukraine is in 28th place with 149 visa-free destinations, Georgia is 45th with 125 countries, and Turkmenistan is the only post-Soviet country with a passport ranked lower than Tajikistan’s.

For comparison: Kazakhstan ranks 63rd (82 visa-free countries), Kyrgyzstan is 79th (63 visa-free destinations),  Uzbekistan is 80th (62 countries), and Turkmenistan is 92nd (48 countries).

Among nearly two hundred countries worldwide, Tajikistan’s passport occupies one of the lowest positions in terms of travel freedom.  This means its holders can travel without a visa or with an easier visa regime to only a limited number of countries — significantly fewer than citizens of most other countries.

Currently, visa-free entry is allowed for Tajik citizens to 23 countries, including Russia, Iran, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Malaysia, Belarus, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and some others. These are destinations where no visa is required beforehand.  Additionally, 33 countries allow visa-on-arrival, mostly tourist destinations like the Maldives, Jordan, Cambodia, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, Kenya and Pakistan require an eTA (electronic travel authorization), which is processed online and replaces a traditional visa.  

However, for most developed countries, including all European Union states, the UK, the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, Tajik citizens must obtain a visa in advance through consulates.  In total, there are 131 such countries.

Despite the general trend toward simplifying travel and the growing number of countries offering electronic visas, most Central Asian passports for international travels remain at the lower end of the global ranking. Improving positions depends on diplomatic efforts, trust levels, and economic stability.

What is the passport ranking?

The passport ranking shows how easily passport holders from different countries can travel around the world.  The more countries a person can visit without a visa or with a visa on arrival, the “stronger” their passport is considered.

The ranking is based on a special index.  It considers 199 passports and 229 countries and territories.  Each passport earns points for every destination that can be visited without a visa, with a visa on arrival, or with an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

The more such destinations, the higher the passport ranks.  For example, passports with a high ranking give access to 180+ countries without a visa in advance. The strength of a passport is influenced by international treaties, politics, and security.

Wealthy holders of “weak” passports can obtain a second passport through investment to travel more freely.

visaindex.com is a comprehensive online platform that provides information about passport ranking and visa requirements.  Developed by Guide Consultants, visaindex.com utilizes the Guide Passport Index, the most accurate and up-to-date passport ranking tool, which ranks the world's passports based on the number of visa-free travel destinations.