Overall Rank: #127 out of 199 countries
Suriname ranks #127 out of 199 countries and territories in the Globevisa Passport Ranking, placing it in the below-average category. Across the five core dimensions — Mobility (#111), Governance (#122), Security (#148), Education (#116), and Quality of Life (#112) — Suriname performs strongest in mobility (#111), followed by quality of life (#112). Its weakest dimension is security (#148).
Mobility: #111 (score 45/100), Governance: #122 (score 39/100), Security: #148 (score 26/100), Education: #116 (score 42/100), Quality of Life: #112 (score 44/100)
Suriname ranks #127 globally in the 2026 Globevisa Passport Ranking, which evaluates 199 countries and territories worldwide. Unlike traditional passport indices that focus solely on visa-free destination counts, the Globevisa Passport Ranking provides a comprehensive structural assessment across five core dimensions: Mobility, Governance, Security, Education, and Quality of Life. Suriname shows a relatively balanced profile across all dimensions. However, Governance (#122) and Security (#148) represent structural areas of concern.
Country Overview: Suriname is a commodity-dependent South American emerging market with an accessible residency-to-naturalization pathway but faces significant economic volatility and infrastructure challenges. / Emerging South American market with moderate global mobility.
Identity Attributes: Not Recommended
Global Taxation: Yes (Worldwide Taxation)
Cost of Living: Medium
Culture & Adaptation: Multilingual environment with Dutch as official and English widely spoken; high cultural diversity with a welcoming and relaxed social atmosphere; accessible for Dutch-speaking or versatile international professionals seeking a multicultural lifestyle.
Employment & Development: Resource-rich economy dominated by mining and emerging offshore oil; niche opportunities for foreign specialists in extractive industries and energy; significant barriers include lengthy work permit processes and Dutch language proficiency.
A Suriname passport does not currently provide visa-free access to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, or the United States, meaning formal visa applications are generally required for these major destinations. Internationally, the passport is perceived as a mid-tier document with moderate global mobility, offering its best access within the Caribbean and South American regions. While there is no immediate risk of losing major Western visa-free privileges since they are not currently in place, holders should remain aware that any future liberalization talks would be subject to rigorous vetting regarding security and migration compliance. Consequently, travelers should expect standard visa processing and should stay informed of evolving international travel policies.
Suriname’s immigration framework is currently in an evolving state as the government works with international organizations to modernize its migration governance and data collection systems. While there is no recent history of sudden investment program closures, the country has undergone structural shifts in residency requirements and border controls to align more closely with regional security standards. Future regulatory scrutiny may persist, particularly regarding anti-money laundering and transparency, as the nation remains under periodic review by international financial monitoring bodies. Applicants should anticipate a high-compliance environment where documentation requirements could be subject to adjustment as new national migration policies are implemented through 2030.
Suriname maintains a generally stable political environment, though public safety is characterized by moderate risks related to opportunistic crime and localized instability. Security conditions vary significantly, with higher crime rates and a more limited police presence in specific districts like Albina and Moengo, as well as in certain impoverished or secluded neighborhoods of the capital, Paramaribo. Personal and property security are primarily supported by the national police and a legal system based on Dutch civil law, though enforcement capacity can be hindered by resource constraints and bureaucratic delays. Consequently, many international residents and high-profile visitors utilize private security services and exercise standard precautions to navigate the local safety landscape effectively.