Singapore has once again claimed the top spot as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 destinations globally. But how does your passport rank, and what exactly does ‘passport power’ mean?
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The Henley Passport Index, produced by Henley & Partners, ranks passports based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This ranking evaluates the number of countries passport holders can access without needing a visa in advance, which is a key factor in determining a passport’s strength.
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While Singapore leads, other countries rank closely. Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain hold second place with visa-free access to 192 destinations. Recent diplomatic developments have also boosted Denmark’s passport, now ranked third with Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, each allowing entry to 191 countries without prior visas. Upcoming agreements will likely elevate Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, and Norway as they gain visa-free access to China.
These top rankings, covering 35 passports, don’t shift dramatically. However, ranks between 11 and 20, where 16 countries vie for top positions, often see more movement. Malaysia, Argentina, and Hong Kong have each advanced by one spot since July, reflecting broader trends toward greater travel openness.
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The US and UK passport holders, however, have seen their rankings slip over recent years. American passports now rank eighth, granting access to 186 countries, while the UK ranks fourth with access to 190 countries, slightly down from previous years. It’s been a decade since the US and UK last held first place together in 2014.
The trend of increased global mobility continues, but the gap between the most and least powerful passports has widened significantly. Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the originator of the passport index concept, points out that global mobility has nearly doubled, with average visa-free access growing from 58 destinations in 2006 to 111 today. Still, the disparity is stark: Singapore passport holders can visit 169 more destinations than citizens of Afghanistan, which ranks lowest.
In recent months, new visa agreements were negotiated on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, showcasing how visa-free access serves as a diplomatic tool to strengthen global relations.