Sao Tome and Principe travellers: 59 countries visa-free, joint 81st in index

Henley & Partners has published its updated 2026 Henley Passport Index, and Kyrgyzstan has moved down the table. As of October 2026, the country stood in 81st place, a position it shares with Sao Tome and Principe, with Kyrgyz passport holders able to travel to 59 countries without a visa.

Key facts

• Kyrgyzstan's rank as of October 2026: 81st, shared with Sao Tome and Principe
• Rank at the start of the year: 75th — a fall of six places
• Destinations Kyrgyz passport holders can enter without a visa: 59
• Strongest passport in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, in 66th place, with 77 visa-free countries
• Global leader: Singapore, with visa-free access to 193 destinations

What has changed in the ranking?

Kyrgyzstan held 75th position at the beginning of 2026 and had dropped six places by October, landing at 81st. The index covers more than 100 passports and draws on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

How does Kyrgyzstan compare with its neighbours?

Kazakhstan continues to hold the strongest passport in Central Asia at 66th, with its passport holders able to visit 77 countries without a visa. Uzbekistan also slipped, taking 82nd place against 79th in 2025.

Tajikistan ranked 87th and Turkmenistan 93rd in the same table.

Which passports lead the index?

Singapore kept the top spot globally, with visa-free access to 193 destinations for its passport holders. Afghanistan ranked last, at 22 destinations for its citizens.

How does the Henley Passport Index work?

The Henley Passport Index ranks countries by the travel freedom their passports provide. It examines visa rules across countries and territories and orders passports by the number of destinations their holders can reach without obtaining a visa in advance.

That count includes both visa-free entry and visas on arrival.

What this means for travellers

For Kyrgyz passport holders, the index confirms that 59 countries can be entered without arranging a visa beforehand. Anyone planning a trip on a Kyrgyz passport should check the entry rules for their specific destination before booking, as requirements differ by country.

The index covers more than 100 passports and is updated by Henley & Partners on the basis of IATA data. No further updates for 2026 were announced.