Nigeria’s passport has fallen to 181st place out of 196 countries in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index, according to data published on the platform. The new assessment shows that Nigerian passport holders can now enter only 24 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, a sharp decline from the 44 visa-free destinations recorded in July 2026, when Nigeria ranked 90th.
IziVisa Methodology and Access Breakdown
IziVisa evaluates passports based on the number of destinations accessible through visa-free entry, visas on arrival, and electronic visas. Beyond the 24 visa-free destinations, the data indicates that Nigerians can obtain visas on arrival in 16 countries and apply for electronic visas to visit 43 others.
The ranking reflects a significant reduction in travel mobility for Nigerian passport holders compared to earlier in the year. The platform’s assessment covers 196 countries, providing a comprehensive view of global passport strength.
UAE and Switzerland Lead the IziVisa Ranking
The United Arab Emirates topped the latest IziVisa ranking, with its passport providing access to 185 of 198 destinations through visa-free entry, visas on arrival, or electronic visas. Switzerland ranked second, offering visa-free access to 120 destinations, visas on arrival in 26 countries, and electronic visas for another 37 destinations.
Other high-ranking passports include Luxembourg, Malta, Denmark, Spain, and Finland, according to the IziVisa data. These countries consistently offer broad travel access to their citizens.
Henley Passport Index Shows Improvement
In contrast, the Henley Passport Index, published in October 2026 by Henley & Partners, reported that Nigeria’s passport improved to 92nd place, up from 94th in October 2025. The Henley index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to assess passport access across 227 travel destinations.
Nigeria’s passport ranking has fluctuated over the years. It ranked 62nd in 2006 before slipping to 76th in 2010 and 87th in 2012. The country’s position improved to 78th in 2013 but fell to 95th in 2015. Nigeria ranked 94th in 2018, 95th in 2019, and 94th in 2020. Its position dropped to 103rd in 2021 before improving to 98th in 2022, 97th in 2023, and 95th in 2024. Nigeria ranked 94th in 2025 before rising to 92nd in 2026.
Comparative Analysis and Travel Advisory
The IziVisa and Henley indices use different methodologies and cover different numbers of destinations, so their rankings are not directly comparable. IziVisa focuses on 196 countries, while Henley covers 227 destinations, which explains the divergence in Nigeria’s position.
Nigerian travellers are advised to confirm entry requirements with the relevant embassies or immigration authorities before travelling, particularly to destinations that require electronic visas or visas on arrival. This is crucial given the fluctuating nature of visa policies and the recent changes in Nigeria’s passport ranking.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the US Mission extended the eligibility window for nonimmigrant visa renewals from 24 months to 48 months. Under the updated policy, applicants whose previous US visas expired within the last 48 months or are set to expire within the next three months may be eligible to renew their visas without an interview. The US Mission also announced it was opening hundreds of appointment slots for Nigerians seeking to renew their visas.
