The Henley Passport Index is out, and there’s a bit of a shake up at the top. The list, which is a comprehensive ranking of the world's passports, is based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. This index, considered a significant reference in the field of global mobility, utilizes exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ongoing research by Henley & Partners.
Crucial for global mobility and international trade, this also facilitates easier travel and economic opportunities, highlighting the benefits of open-door policies and international cooperation. While Japan and Singapore used to reign supreme on the list, this year’s list has six countries sharing the top spot for having the most powerful passports. These are four European Union member states—France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—along with the Japan passport and the Singapore one. Citizens of these countries can access a record-breaking 194 destinations out of 227 around the globe without a visa.
Second spot is shared by Finland, South Korea and Sweden while Austria, Denmark, Ireland and Netherlands come in third. The United Kingdom and the United States, which previously held top positions, have seen changes in their rankings. The UK now ranks joint fourth with 191 destinations, and the US is in the seventh position with 188 destinations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has shown remarkable progress over the past decade, climbing from 55th to 11th position and adding 106 destinations to its visa-free score. China comes in at 62 while the Indian passport is 80th on the list.
