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▼ Japan Ties With South Korea For Second Most Powerful Passport
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Japan has the world’s second most powerful passport — tied with South Korea — according to the latest Henley Passport Index ranking, which ranks passports on visa-free access to other countries.
Japanese and South Korean passport holders have visa-free access to 190 destinations out of 227 globally — sitting just behind Singapore, which remained in the top spot with access to 193 destinations.
Between 2018 and 2023, Japan ranked in the No. 1 spot — at times sharing the position with Singapore. It has consistently ranked highly since the survey began back in 2006. Its lowest position on the rankings was 6th place in 2010.
European countries continue to hold powerful passports, with France, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Finland and Germany sharing third place. The fourth spot is shared between Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
While movements tend to be limited among the top-ranking countries that have marginal differences in access, elsewhere, shifts in the rankings were more pronounced.
Japanese and South Korean passport holders have visa-free access to 190 destinations out of 227 globally — sitting just behind Singapore, which remained in the top spot with access to 193 destinations.
Between 2018 and 2023, Japan ranked in the No. 1 spot — at times sharing the position with Singapore. It has consistently ranked highly since the survey began back in 2006. Its lowest position on the rankings was 6th place in 2010.
European countries continue to hold powerful passports, with France, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Finland and Germany sharing third place. The fourth spot is shared between Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
While movements tend to be limited among the top-ranking countries that have marginal differences in access, elsewhere, shifts in the rankings were more pronounced.
The U.S. passport sank from 7th to 10th place — a stark contrast from 2014, when the American passport was ranked in the top spot.
The U.K. also moved down from 4th place to 6th.
“The U.S. is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index’s 20-year history,” Henley & Partners said of the pronounced shift.
Notably, India moved up the rankings from 85th to 77th. And the UAE has risen 34 places over the past 10 years, from 42nd place into 8th.
China has also improved its position since the rankings began, moving 34 places from 94th to 60th.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, with citizens only able to access 25 destinations without obtaining a visa first.
According to the firm, there has been a “general global shift towards increased openness, greater mobility, and rising passport strength.”
The London-based citizenship and residence advisory company has published the index annually since 2006, drawing on data from the International Air Transport Association.
It ranks passport strength solely on the number of destinations accessible without visas, and includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.
The U.K. also moved down from 4th place to 6th.
“The U.S. is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index’s 20-year history,” Henley & Partners said of the pronounced shift.
Notably, India moved up the rankings from 85th to 77th. And the UAE has risen 34 places over the past 10 years, from 42nd place into 8th.
China has also improved its position since the rankings began, moving 34 places from 94th to 60th.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, with citizens only able to access 25 destinations without obtaining a visa first.
According to the firm, there has been a “general global shift towards increased openness, greater mobility, and rising passport strength.”
The London-based citizenship and residence advisory company has published the index annually since 2006, drawing on data from the International Air Transport Association.
It ranks passport strength solely on the number of destinations accessible without visas, and includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.
- 24/7 19:45
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