Singapore’s Passport Is Now The Most Powerful In The world: Check Where Does India Stand?

International

oi-Deepika S

Singapore has overtaken Japan for having the world’s most powerful passport, allowing visa-free entry to 192 global destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

While Germany, Italy, and Spain tied in second place, with their citizens being able to visit 190 global destinations, Japan slipped to third place – its passport allowing visa-free access to 189 destinations, down from 193 in 2022.

Other passports that tied with Japan to rank third place are Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden.

The UK appears to have finally turned the corner after a six-year decline, jumping up two places on the latest ranking to 4th place – a position it last held in 2017.

The US, on the other hand, continues its now decade-long slide down the index, plummeting a further two places to 8th spot with access to just 184 destinations visa-free. Both the UK and the US jointly held 1st place on the index nearly 10 years ago in 2014 but have been on a downward trajectory ever since.

What Is E-Passport and How It Is Different From Physical Passport? Check FAQs

Afghanistan remains entrenched at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, with a visa-free access score of just 27, followed by Iraq (score of 29), and Syria (score of 30) – the three weakest passports in the world.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley and Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, says only eight countries worldwide have less visa-free access today than they did a decade ago while others have been more successful in securing greater travel freedom for their citizens.

Where does India stand?

According to the report, India has shown slight improvement in its ranking. The Indian passport improved by five places and is now ranked 80th in the latest Henley Passport Index, and it provides visa-free access to 57 destinations.

Additionally, Indian passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Rwanda. However, Indian citizens need a visa to enter 177 destinations across the world in countries like China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.