In a groundbreaking development, Kosovo has experienced a dramatic rise in its global passport ranking, ascending an impressive 90 spots in the VisaGuide Passport Index. This surge in ranking follows the Schengen Area Member States' recent decision to waive entry visa requirements for Kosovo passport holders.

As per the latest January 2024 update, Kosovo's passport now ranks as the 98th most influential in the world, a significant leap from its previous 188th position in December 2023. This remarkable advancement, as described by VisaGuide.World's founder, Besart Bajrami, marks a historic moment for Kosovo, illustrating the profound impact the European Union can have on the global standing of a passport.

Since the start of 2024, individuals holding biometric passports from Kosovo have been granted the freedom to travel without a visa to 44 countries globally. Additionally, Kosovo citizens can now enter Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia using just a valid ID, bypassing the need for a passport.

Also Read: How Kosovars dream of visiting Europe after visa-free entry into Schengen states

However, Kosovo passport holders still require a traditional visa for entry into 97 countries, can obtain a visa on arrival in 32 countries, and need an eVisa for 33 additional countries. Despite these advancements, 16 countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Moldova, Russia, Syria, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela, continue to prohibit entry to Kosovo passport holders, largely due to the non-recognition of Kosovo as an independent state.

This considerable rise in ranking comes after a period in December when Kosovo’s passport permitted visa-free access to only 11 countries and required traditional visas for 130 countries.