Singapore has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Japan to become the world’s most powerful passport, according to the Henley Passport Index. Singapore’s passport now grants visa-free access to an impressive 192 destinations out of 227 globally. In contrast, Japan, which had held the top spot for five years, slipped to the third position as the number of visa-free destinations for its passport decreased.
About the Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is an annual ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa. The index is compiled by the Henley & Partners citizenship and residency advisory firm.
The index takes inputs from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated quarterly. Each passport earns a point for each country its holders can enter without needing a visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival, reflecting the level of global travel freedom and ease of access for its citizens. The higher the score, the more powerful the passport is considered in terms of global mobility and travel opportunities.
Henley Passport Index 2023
- In the latest rankings, Germany, Italy, and Spain have all moved up to the 2nd place with their passports providing visa-free access to 190 destinations. Additionally, Japanese passport holders now share the 3rd place with passports from Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden, granting access to 189 destinations without needing a visa in advance.
- The United States, which was once at the top of the list almost ten years ago, has dropped to 8th place. On the brighter side, the United Kingdom has made a strong comeback and climbed to the 4th position after facing a decline due to Brexit. This is the same position it held in 2017.
- However, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, as its passport offers visa-free access to only 27 destinations. Iraq and Syria also have weak passports, with access to 29 and 30 destinations respectively, making them the three countries with the least travel privileges.
India’s Ranking in Henley Passport Index
India has made notable strides in the Henley Passport Index, climbing 5 positions compared to the previous year’s ranking. Currently, India shares the 80th spot on the index along with Togo and Senegal. This improvement highlights the enhanced global travel privileges for Indian passport holders, as they now enjoy visa-free access to 57 countries. The progress in the ranking reflects the efforts made by India in building diplomatic relations and strengthening its position on the international stage, facilitating easier travel for its citizens.
Top 10 spots on the Henley Passport Index
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Access |
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Germany, Italy, Spain | 190 |
| 3 | Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Sweden | 189 |
| 4 | Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, UK | 188 |
| 5 | Belgium, Czech Republic, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland | 187 |
| 6 | Australia, Hungary, Poland | 186 |
| 7 | Canada, Greece | 185 |
| 8 | Lithuania, US | 184 |
| 9 | Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia | 183 |
| 10 | Estonia, Iceland | 182 |
Bottom 10 spots on the Henley Passport Index
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Access |
| 94 | Kosovo | 42 |
| 95 | Sri Lanka, Libya | 41 |
| 96 | Bangladesh | 40 |
| 97 | North Korea | 39 |
| 98 | Palestinian territory, Nepal | 38 |
| 99 | Yemen, Somalia | 35 |
| 100 | Pakistan | 33 |
| 101 | Syria | 30 |
| 102 | Iraq | 29 |
| 103 | Afghanistan | 27 |
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