There are now six countries in joint first place for having the world’s most powerful passport, according to the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index. The rankings, updated every quarter, are based on the number of destinations that a passport will allow its holder to travel to without applying for a visa prior to travel. The UK passport is among the third most powerful passports, behind countries such as France, Germany and Japan. At the opposite end of the scale, Afghanistan’s passport offers its holders the fewest travel options. Here’s what you need to know.
Main photo: the Italian passport is now one of the most powerful (Alamy)
A Singapore passport: one of the most powerful in the world (Alamy)
The most powerful passports in the world
A number of countries hold joint positions when it comes to their travel power. The countries with the top ten ranking scores, based on the number of countries their citizens can visit visa-free, are:
1. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain: with a score of 194
2. Finland, South Korea and Sweden: 193
3. Austria, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands: 192
4. Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal and the UK: 191
5. Greece, Malta, and Switzerland: 190
6. Australia, Czech Republic, New Zealand and Poland: 189
7. Canada, Hungary and the USA: 188
8. Estonia and Lithuania: 187
9. Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia: 186
10. Iceland: 185
A supply of Afghan passports, which score lowest on the passport power index, in Kabul (Alamy)
The least powerful passports in the world
The following countries have the lowest scores for visa-free travel, making them the least powerful passports on the index:
1. Afghanistan: 28
2. Syria: 29
3. Iraq: 31
4. Pakistan: 34
5. Yemen: 35
6. Somalia: 36
7. Libya, Nepal and the Palestinian Territory: 40
8. Bangladesh and North Korea: 42
9. Eritrea and Sri Lanka: 43
10. Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria and Sudan: 45
What makes a passport powerful?
To compile its rankings, the Henley Passport Index bases a passport’s power on the number of destinations it allows its holders to travel to without having to obtain a visa first. The rankings include 199 passports and 227 destinations.
Because foreign policies change frequently, the rankings fluctuate over time. The index is updated every quarter to reflect the latest changes.
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Rankings are compiled based on how many destinations a passport holder can visit (Getty Images)
How does Henley & Partners rank the most powerful passports in the world?
Henley & Partners uses data from the International Air Transport Association (Iata) as well as its own research to compile the rankings.
Each nation’s passport is given a score of one for every destination its holder can enter without having to apply for a visa before travel. A score of one is also awarded if the traveller can obtain a visa, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) on arrival.
For every destination where a visa before travel is required, or where a pre-departure approval of a visa on arrival is required, a score of zero is assigned.
Then it’s just a case of totting up the numbers. The passports that score the highest are considered the most powerful.
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