After holding the title of the world's most powerful passport for five consecutive years, Japan has now been dethroned from the top spot. In the latest Henley Passport Index for 2023, Singapore has claimed the number one position. Singaporean passport holders benefit from visa-free entry to 192 out of 227 travel destinations around the globe.

Henley Passport Index Ranks Passports by Accessibility

The Henley Passport Index, updated quarterly, assesses passport accessibility to visa-free destinations. Maintained by Henley & Partners, it uses IATA data and has evaluated 199 passports in its 18-year history.

• How the Index Works

In the ranking system, countries earn one point for each visa-free destination their passport holders can visit. This includes visa-on-arrival, permits, or ETAs, while destinations requiring visas or e-visas do not contribute points.

• The Current Ranking

As of October 2023, the top three countries in the Henley Passport Index are:

1. Japan
2. Singapore
3. South Korea

These countries all have visa-free access to over 190 destinations around the world. Other notable countries in the top 10 include Germany, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, and Finland.

• What the Index Reveals

The Henley Passport Index highlights trends such as Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea leading, while visa restrictions are less stringent among developed nations compared to interactions involving developing countries.

• Implications for Travelers

The Henley Passport Index is a valuable tool for travellers who are planning to visit multiple destinations without having to apply for a visa for each one. By consulting the index, travellers can choose destinations that are accessible to them given their nationality. Additionally, the index can be used as a bargaining chip when negotiating visa requirements with embassies and consulates.

Countries with the Most Powerful Passports

Japan held the top position in the passport ranking with visa-free access to 193 countries, but it has since dropped to 189 countries. Singapore now claims the leading spot, having gained visa-free access to 25 additional countries over the past decade, pushing it up five places in the ranking. 

The top 10 is composed of countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, Czechia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Australia, Hungary, Poland, Canada, Greece, Lithuania, the USA, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, and Iceland. 

The UK has risen to fourth place, a position it hadn't held since 2017, while the USA continues its 10-year decline, falling to eighth place, with the smallest increase in its score compared to the past decade, during which it was jointly ranked first with the UK in 2014.

Countries with the Weakest Passport Rankings

At the opposite end of the spectrum, in terms of passport power, Afghanistan holds the distinction of having the weakest passport globally, offering visa-free access to a mere 27 destinations, which is 165 destinations less than what Singapore's passport allows. 

Following closely in the rankings are Iraq, with access to 29 destinations, and Syria, with 30 destinations. The list of countries with the least powerful passports extends to include Pakistan (33 destinations), Yemen and Somalia (35 destinations), Palestine and Nepal (38 destinations), North Korea (39 destinations), Bangladesh (40 destinations), Libya and Sri Lanka (41 destinations), and Kosovo (42 destinations).

Growing Travel Freedom, Increasing Passport Disparities

In recent years, the Passport Index has reflected a trend of increasing travel freedom around the world. This positive shift is evident in the fact that the average number of countries accessible to travellers without a visa has nearly doubled, growing from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023.

Only eight countries have experienced a decline in their visa-free access over the past decade. Notably, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant progress, gaining visa-free access to an additional 107 destinations since 2013, propelling it from 56th to 12th place in the rankings. 

Colombia has also seen substantial improvement, rising from 65th to 37th place. Ukraine and China are among the top 10 countries that have notably enhanced their passport rankings in the last decade. Despite this overall progress, it's important to acknowledge that the disparity between the most and least powerful passports is growing.

Countries with the Most Welcoming Visa Policies

The recently introduced Henley Openness Index offers insights into the countries with the most and least welcoming visa policies. In this ranking, the top 20 positions are occupied by small island nations, African states, and Cambodia, showcasing their openness to travellers. 

Notably, a dozen countries stand out for granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to all 198 other passports globally. 

These countries are Burundi, the Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, the Maldives, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Samoa, the Seychelles, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu. On the other end of the spectrum, the four countries with the most restrictive policies, offering no visa-free access for any passport, are Afghanistan, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, and Turkmenistan. Following closely are Libya, Bhutan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and India, each extending visa-free access to fewer than five other nationalities.

Is Openness Equivalent to Visa Access?

The two indexes, the Henley Openness Index and the Passport Index, highlight that a high level of openness doesn't necessarily translate into extensive visa-free access to other countries. Notably, Singapore and South Korea, which are relatively open in terms of visa policies, have seen positive advancements in the Passport Index. 

In contrast, the USA and Canada have experienced declines in their rankings, reflecting a stagnation in their openness. For instance, American passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 184 out of 227 destinations, while only 44 other nationalities have the same privilege to enter the US without a visa. It's worth mentioning that European Union (EU) states grant visa-free privileges to more than twice the number of countries compared to the US.

In the list of countries with the most substantial disparities between the travel freedom they offer their citizens and the visa-free access they grant to other nations, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan feature at the top. These countries enjoy significant travel freedom while providing limited visa-free access to others.

Conversely, there are countries that maintain high levels of openness but possess less powerful passports. Examples of such nations include Somalia, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Burundi, and Nepal. This demonstrates that while a country may be open to travellers, it may not necessarily have a passport that grants its citizens extensive visa-free access to other destinations.

FAQS

What is the World's Most Powerful Passport?

The world's most powerful passport refers to the passport that offers the greatest number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to various countries.

Which Countries Currently Hold the Second Place?

Germany, Italy, and Spain have moved into second place in the latest passport rankings.

How is Passport Power Measured?

Passport power is typically measured by the number of countries a passport holder can enter without requiring a visa or with the option of obtaining a visa on arrival.

Which Factors Contribute to a Passport's Strength?

A passport's strength is influenced by diplomatic agreements and bilateral relations between countries, as well as international travel regulations and political factors.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Powerful Passport?

A powerful passport allows its holders to travel more freely and with greater ease, as they can visit a wider range of countries without the hassle and expense of obtaining visas.

How Often Do Passport Rankings Change?

Passport rankings can change annually or more frequently, reflecting alterations in international relations and visa policies.

Are There Any Other Countries with Powerful Passports?

Yes, there are countries like Japan, Singapore, and the United States that often rank highly in terms of passport power.

Where Can I Find the Latest Passport Rankings?

You can find the latest passport rankings and updates through various passport index websites and government resources.