Multiple passports from different countries placed on a world map, highlighting global travel access and visa restrictions.

The True Cost of Limited Travel

The ability to move freely across borders is something many take for granted. Travel is a right that should be accessible to all, yet for millions of people holding weak passports, international travel is a privilege wrapped in red tape, stress, and financial burden. A passport should be a gateway to the world, but for those who didn’t win the birth lottery ticket, it often feels like a locked door.

Even the most passionate traveller can feel demoralised by the endless hurdles of visas, embassy visits, and rejection risks. While some passports open doors, others keep them firmly shut.

But we have not always needed a passport to move around. The concept is fairly recent.

Origins of the Passport

Travel documents have existed since biblical times, but passports as we know them today are relatively modern. During World War I, countries reinstated strict passport controls for security reasons, making border-crossing more regulated than ever before. By 1920, the League of Nations, the predecessor to the UN, introduced international passport standards, shaping the little booklets we use today.

However, not all passports were created equal. Over the decades, some nations forged strong diplomatic ties, ensuring their citizens could travel easily. Others, due to economic instability, strained international relations, or security concerns, found their passports devalued. Today, passport strength is an unspoken indicator of privilege.

What makes a passport weak?

On the surface, all passports look similar. They are small booklets with a country’s emblem embossed on the cover. But what defines a weak passport is its lack of global mobility. A passport is considered weak if it allows visa-free access to only a handful of countries. Several factors contribute to this.

Countries with struggling economies or significant emigration often face stricter travel restrictions as destination countries fear those citizens might overstay illegaly.
Strained diplomatic ties. Poor relations between governments lead to visa restrictions.
Lack of reciprocal visa agreements. Countries with weak diplomatic influence struggle to negotiate visa-free deals.
Security risks. Nations perceived as having security concerns often see their citizens face tougher visa requirements.
High frequency of visa overstays. When citizens of a country frequently overstay visas, other nations respond by tightening entry rules.

The true cost of a weak passport

Time costs

For weak passport holders, spontaneous travel is a fantasy. Visa applications can take weeks or even months. A Nigerian applying for a Schengen visa, for example, might wait anywhere from 15 to 45 days for approval. Meanwhile, a U.S. or UK passport holder can book a flight and land in the same country within hours.

And securing a visa once doesn’t mean freedom forever. Every trip requires a fresh application, another round of documentation, and another anxious wait. Even after obtaining a visa, travelers with weak passports often endure extra scrutiny at borders, facing questioning that stronger passport holders never experience.

Money costs

Time isn’t the only cost of a weak passport, money plays an equally painful role. The financial burden of visas is well-documented. A report by the Migration Policy Centre of the EU states that citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries pay, on average, 18.76% of their daily income on visa fees. This is the highest percentage in the world. By contrast, European and American travelers spend less than 1% of their daily earnings on visa costs.

Visa fees are often non-refundable, meaning even a rejection comes at a cost. But the expenses don’t stop there. A typical Nigerian applying for a Schengen visa must budget for:

Visa fees – Paid upfront, with no refund if rejected.
Travel costs to embassies – Especially expensive for those outside Lagos or Abuja.
Documentation fees – Travel insurance, hotel bookings that are often required even before approval, and administrative costs.
Transit visas – If the journey involves a stopover in a country requiring a visa.
Proof of funds – Requiring bank statements and other financial documents.

For frequent travelers, these expenses quickly add up.

Psychological costs

Beyond time and money, a weak passport comes with an emotional price tag. While stronger passport holders can book flights on a whim, weak passport holders must endure weeks or months of waiting, uncertainty, and stress.

Every visa application feels like a gamble, regardless of how meticulously the requirements are met. The process forces travelers to prove they won’t overstay, submitting financial records, work letters, and even personal explanations for their trips. Even after obtaining a visa, many still face humiliating scrutiny at border checkpoints, making them feel like second-class global citizens.

Opportunity costs

Travel isn’t just about vacations, it’s also about access to opportunities. A weak passport can mean missing out on career advancements, business deals, education, and networking events. Imagine receiving a last-minute invitation to a conference in Germany, only to realize that securing a visa in time is nearly impossible.

Many professionals and students have had to forfeit scholarships, job offers, or business deals simply because their passports required an extensive visa process they couldn’t navigate in time. Even when all requirements are met, denials happen frequently.

What can weak passport holders do?

While the struggles are real, all hope is not lost. Many weak passport holders can still explore visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations. For Nigerian passport holders, countries like Barbados, Seychelles, and Fiji offer easier access, making travel less of a bureaucratic nightmare.

However, for those who want long-term freedom, exploring dual citizenship or alternative residency options is worth considering. Countries like Canada, Portugal, and St. Kitts & Nevis offer citizenship or residency-by-investment programs, providing stronger passports with better travel privileges.