Top Strongest and Weakest Passports In The World

Top 10 and 20 Strongest Passports In Q4 2021. Photo KnowInsiders

The Henley Passport Index comes at a time when countries are easing travel rules for international visitors after almost two years since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The index ranks the passports of countries according to the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa. The rankings are based on the analysis of data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The List of The Top 20 strongest passports in Q4 2021

(according to Henley Passport Index, last updated October 2021)

1.Japan, Singapore

2.Germany, South Korea

3.Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain

4.Austria, Denmark

5.France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden

6.Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland

7.Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, UK, US

8.Australia, Canada

9.Hungary

10.Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia

11.Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia

12.Iceland

13.Malaysia

14.Liechtenstein

15.Cyprus

16.UAE, Chile, Monaco, Romania

17.Bulgaria

18.Croatia

19.Hong Kong

20.Argentina, Brazil

***

As we near the end of 2021, the latest information from the Henley Passport Index paints a gloomy picture with much of the world remaining largely inaccessible to travellers from nations at the lower end of the index. Prepared by Henley and Partners, a London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, the Henley Passport Index claims to be the “original ranking of all the world’s passports”. The index covers 227 destinations and 199 passports.

The weakest passports in the world for Q4 2021

106. Congo

107. Iran, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Sudan

108. Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya

109. North Korea

110. Nepal, Palestine

111. Somalia

112. Yemen

113. Pakistan

114. Syria

115. Iraq

116. Afghanistan

*Check out the full list of Strongest and Weakest Passports In The World for Q4 2021 Here!

What Are The Top 10 Strongest Passports In The World for Q4 2021?

1.Japan, Singapore

Japan and Singapore stood at the top of this year’s list, with their passports holders allowed to travel visa-free to 192 countries. For the third consecutive year, Japan has secured the top position.

Photo CNN

Japan, which has a visa-free score of 192, bars almost all foreign nationals from entry. Singapore has only recently eased travel restrictions for some nations, but tourism to the country remains mostly prohibited.

Japan provides visa-free access to 196 countries. It is therefore considered the most desirable passport in the world with the highest mobility score. Japanese passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as Brazil, the European Union, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and United States allowing instant travel worldwide. Japanese passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 33 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are Ghana, Cuba and Russia.

Singaporean passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to destinations such as Brazil, the European Union, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and United States allowing instant travel worldwide. Singaporean passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 36 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are Cameroon, Oman and Russia.

Photo CapitaLand

Commenting on the latest rankings, Armand Arton, president of Arton Capital, the creators of the Passport Index, said: “To start Q4 with a 14.8 percent increase in global mobility shows that the world is thankfully opening up once more, and on an encouragingly positive trajectory. “We do note, however, that we are still only back to mobility levels first achieved six years ago, so the aftermath of the global shutdown is still very much in play. “In addition to pandemic-related restrictions, geo-political events of the last three months have also seen the extra ordinary circumstances create travel, mobility and migration issues to and from Afghanistan — although the Afghan passport, prior to recent events, was already ranked lowest on the mobility score. “While clearly a difficult time for many concerned, times of crisis can often put the issue of global mobility firmly into the spotlight,” Arton added.

2.Germany, South Korea

Photo Business Insider

Germany’s passport has been ranked in the second place in the list of the world’s most powerful passports, permitting its travellers to visit a total of 190 destinations without acquiring a visa in advance, the recent report of the Henley Passport Index has revealed.

The visa-free accessibility of the South Korean passport has been within the world's top three since 2018, marking a big jump since 13th in 2013. Nationals of visa waiver countries can enter Korea without a visa as long as the purpose of their visit is tourism or temporary visit. If they want to engage in commercial activities such as employment, they must apply for a Korean visa suitable for their purpose.

READ MORE: ONLY in KOREA: Top 7 Weirdest Foods to Try Out!

3.Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain

European countries, such as Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain share third place, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 189, according to the Henley Passport Index report, based on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.

4.Austria, Denmark

Two other European countries, Austria and Denmark, have been ranked in fourth place, while their travellers are permitted to visit a total of 188 countries worldwide visa-free.

5.France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden

At the same time, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden share the fifth position with their passports giving visa-free access to 187 countries.

READ MORE: Top 10 Most Expensive Travel Cities in Europe Today

6.Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland

According to the Henley Passport Index, Belgium and Switzerland passports have visa-free, visa-on-arrival scores of 186, therefore are placed in sixth place.

New Zealand, which announced this week that it was moving away from its Covid-19 elimination strategy in favor of a vaccine certificate system, is in sixth place alongside Belgium and Switzerland.

Photo CNN

New Zealand passport has quietly climbed to 6th place in the power rankings. This is up two places since the start of the pandemic, leapfrogging both the US and UK passports which grant 185 visa free travel destinations.

The Passport Index is more than just a simple ranking tool; unlike other indicators on global mobility, the Passport Index’s data can reflect the temporary and often disruptive geo-political or pandemic-related travel restrictions — in real time. In addition, the index’s ability to offer insights across a number of socio-political influencers means that many foreign ministries around the world are already using the platform to analyze and compare their policies with others.

7.Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, UK, US

The Czech passport provides visa-free access to 188 countries. Czech passport holders have visa-free and visas on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. Czech passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 41 destinations in the world.

Greece provides visa-free access to 190 countries. Greek passport holders have visa-free and visas on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. Greek passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 39 destinations in the world.

Malta provides visa-free access to 187 countries. This makes it one of the most desirable passports in the world with a very high mobility score. Maltese passport holders have visa-free and visas on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. Maltese passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 42 destinations in the world. Some destinations where a visa is required are China, India and Oman.

Norwegian passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as Brazil, Japan, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States allowing almost instant travel worldwide. Norwegian passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 40 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa id required are China, India and Russia.

The British passport currently ranks on the 7th place according to the Guide Passport Ranking Index. It provides visa-free access to 190 countries. British passport holders have visa-free and visas on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, Peru, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. British passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 39 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are Russia, China, Cuba and Iran.

American passport holders have visa-free and visas on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, Peru, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Canada and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. American passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 40 destinations in the world such as Russia, China and Iran.

8.Australia, Canada

Most Australians who have a passport (just 57 per cent of the population according to the Passport Office) are currently unable to use it, the exception is those Australians who are already outside the country.

Vaccinated Australians based in Europe, as reported by Traveller on Saturday, are able to enjoy the northern summer and take holidays to other countries across the continent and beyond.

Travelling Without a Visa for Canadians When you are travelling to a country without visa restrictions, you will likely just need to show your passport, and you are good to go. Some of the other documents you may need are: International travel insurance. Proof of accommodation. Proof of sufficient financial means. Some countries, such as NZ and Australia, will also ask you to submit an Electronic Travel Authorization, which you can get online. Starting from 2021, you will also need an ETIAS for trips to EU countries.

9.Hungary

The Hungarian passport currently ranks on the 10th place according to the Guide Passport Ranking Index. It provides visa-free access to 187 countries. With a high mobility score it is one of the best ranking passports in the world. Hungarian passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Japan and the entire European Union. This allows almost instant travel opportunities worldwide. Hungarian passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 42 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are China, India and the Russian Federation.

10.Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia

With a high mobility score Lithuania passport gives you the right to travel easily, without frustrating delays, forms, and hefty fees, to up to 128 countries.

What are the tangible advantages of traveling with a Lithuanian passport? They’re many and very compelling: The number of countries you can travel to visa-free: 93. This means you don’t need any visa (neither prior nor on arrival) and can access the country without any bureaucratic bothers. This category includes enticing destinations such as Mexico, the UK, Morocco, and the entirety of the European Union. The number of countries with visa-on-arrival arrangements: 35. When you arrive at these destinations, you’ll be required to go to an immigration desk and get a visa stamp or attachment on your passport. This means less time and headaches than getting a regular visa before traveling. Simple 90-days, 3-month, and 6- month stays in many countries in the period of half a year or a year. This gives you a lot of flexibility to alter and combine your travel plans as you see best.

The Polish passport currently ranks on the 11th place according to the Guide Passport Ranking Index. It provides visa-free access to 185 countries. With a high mobility score it is one of the best ranking passports in the world. Polish passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Japan and the entire European Union. This allows almost instant travel opportunities worldwide. Polish passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 44 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are China, India and Australia.

Slovakian passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to destinations such as the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Japan and the entire European Union. This allows almost instant travel opportunities worldwide. Slovakian passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 42 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are China, India and Australia.

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