Singapore’s Passport Tops the World
Singapore’s passport has now become the most powerful in the world, allowing entry into 193 countries without a visa. In comparison, India’s passport ranks 80th, offering visa-free access to 58 countries. At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan’s passport is considered the weakest, granting visa-free admission to only 25 countries.
Ranking Overview
This ranking comes from the Henley & Partners Passport Index, which evaluates 199 passports based on the number of countries that offer visa-free access. The data is sourced from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Singapore Surpasses Japan and South Korea
Singapore has taken the lead, surpassing Japan and South Korea. While Singaporean passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry into 193 countries, Japan and South Korea allow access to 190 countries each. Notably, Japan has recently resumed visa-free travel to China post-COVID lockdown, solidifying its second-place status.
Other Major Countries
The third position is shared by seven countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, all of which offer visa-free access to 189 countries. The United States holds the 9th position, while Pakistan is ranked 96th.
Weakest Passport: Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s passport is recognized as the weakest, with visa-free access to just 25 countries. Following it are Syria and Iraq, with access to 27 and 30 countries, respectively.
UAE and China’s Remarkable Progress
The UAE has made significant strides, gaining visa-free access to 72 additional countries since 2015 and now ranking 10th with access to 185 countries. China has also seen impressive growth, improving its rank from 94th to 60th place.
Christian H. Kelin, president of Henley & Partners, notes that this data reflects changes in global travel and visa policies, highlighting which countries are enhancing their passport strength and how global travel is evolving.
