Key Takeaways:
- Singapore holds the world’s most powerful passport in 2024, offering visa-free access to 195 countries.
- France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan rank second, with access to 192 countries.
- The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on visa-free travel or simplified entry requirements.
- Afghanistan ranks last with access to only 26 destinations.
- The UAE enters the top 10 for the first time, while Venezuela has dropped significantly.
Singapore has reclaimed the top spot for the world’s most powerful passport in 2024, with its citizens able to visit 195 countries without a visa, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan now rank second, with access to 192 countries.
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit visa-free or with simplified entry, such as visa-on-arrival or electronic travel authorization (ETA).
Passports earn points for each destination that does not require a visa, but no points for destinations requiring a visa or pre-approved e-visa.
In 2024, the average number of visa-free destinations per passport reached 111, nearly double the 58 destinations in 2006.
2024 Passport Rankings
- 1st Place: Singapore (195 destinations)
- 2nd Place: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192 destinations)
- 3rd Place: Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191 destinations)
- 4th Place: UK, Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland (190 destinations)
The U.S. has fallen to eighth place, continuing its decline in global mobility rankings.
The UAE enters the top 10 for the first time, with visa-free access to 185 countries. This rise is attributed to the country’s efforts to strengthen global business and tourism ties.
In contrast, Venezuela has seen a significant drop, falling from 25th to 42nd in the rankings due to ongoing political and economic instability.
Afghanistan ranks last, with visa-free access to only 26 countries. Other low-ranking countries include Yemen, Nigeria, Syria, and Bangladesh, all with limited travel freedom.
