In an increasingly globalised world, the power of a passport significantly influences a person’s mobility, opportunities, and overall ease of travel. A passport’s strength is determined by the number of countries its holder can visit without requiring a visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival. This power is not just a matter of convenience but also reflects a country’s diplomatic relations, economic stability, and global standing.
The Henley Passport Index is one of the most reputable and widely recognised tools for measuring the strength of passports globally. The index ranks passports quarterly based on the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa arrangements. The 2024 Henley Passport Index provides a comprehensive view of global mobility, highlighting the changing dynamics of passport power across different regions and countries.
The Henley Passport Index is a collaboration between Henley & Partners and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It uses IATA’s extensive database of travel information to evaluate the visa-free access of 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations.
World’s Strongest Passports In 2024
The 2024 Henley Passport Index has introduced some significant shifts in global passport rankings. Singapore has made its way to the top of the rankings, dethroning Japan, which had held the position since 2018. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of global mobility and the influence of international relations and agreements.
One of the most notable trends in the 2024 rankings is the increasing dominance of Asian countries. Alongside Singapore, passports from Japan and South Korea also rank highly, reflecting these countries’ strong diplomatic ties and economic stability. European countries hold prominent positions, with France, Germany, Italy, and Spain being among the top ranks.
For the first time, seven countries—Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden—jointly hold the third position on the index, with their citizens enjoying visa-free access to 191 destinations.
3 Strongest Passports In The World In 2024
According to the Henley Passport Index released in July 2024, the most powerful passport in the world in 2024 is Singapore’s. However, the rank 2 and rank 3 are held jointly by multiple countries. Here is the list:
| Rank | Country | Number Of Countries Accessible Visa-free/on-arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 195 |
| 2 | France | 192 |
| 2 | Germany | 192 |
| 2 | Italy | 192 |
| 2 | Japan | 192 |
| 2 | Spain | 192 |
| 3 | Austria | 191 |
| 3 | Finland | 191 |
| 3 | Ireland | 191 |
| 3 | Luxembourg | 191 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 191 |
| 3 | South Korea | 191 |
| 3 | Sweden | 191 |
These rankings reflect the relative ease with which citizens of these countries can travel internationally, underscoring their global mobility advantages.
Singapore’s Rise to the Top in 2024
In 2024, Singapore’s passport has claimed the top spot in the Henley Passport Index, allowing its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. This achievement is a testament to Singapore’s robust diplomatic relations, strategic international agreements, and consistent efforts to enhance its global standing.
Here are the 10 most powerful passports in the world (along with the number of destinations allowed to travel visa-free), according to Henley’s passport index released in July 2024:
- Singapore (195 destinations)
- France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192 destinations)
- Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191 destinations)
- Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190 destinations)
- Australia, Portugal (189 destinations)
- Greece, Poland (188 destinations)
- Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta (187 destinations)
- United States of America(186 destinations)
- Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates (185 destinations)
- Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia (186 destinations)
Benefits Of Holding The World’s Most Powerful Passport
Holding the world’s most powerful passport offers numerous benefits to these passport holders:
- Ease of Travel
Holding the world’s most powerful passport simplifies international travel significantly, allowing Singaporean citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. This convenience reduces the time, cost, and stress associated with obtaining travel documents, making spontaneous travel plans and flexible itineraries possible.
- Business Opportunities
A powerful passport opens up extensive global business opportunities. Singaporean entrepreneurs and professionals can easily access international markets, fostering stronger business relationships and enabling trade and investment. The freedom to attend global conferences and business meetings without visa constraints enhances collaboration and economic growth.
- Cultural Exchange
A top-ranked passport promotes cultural exchange, allowing citizens to explore diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. This exposure enriches personal and professional experiences, enhancing creativity, and problem-solving skills, and fostering a more inclusive worldview. For students and academics, it facilitates global study and research opportunities.
- Education and Research
With easier access to international educational institutions, Singaporean students can pursue higher education at prestigious universities worldwide. Researchers benefit from enhanced collaboration opportunities, attending global conferences, and participating in joint projects without visa barriers.
- Healthcare Access
A highly ranked passport provides better access to international healthcare facilities, enabling Singaporeans to seek advanced medical treatments abroad without visa delays. This access can be crucial for specialised treatments not available locally.
- Enhanced Security and Protection
Singapore’s strong global standing ensures better security and protection for its citizens abroad. In times of political unrest or emergencies, Singaporean embassies offer robust assistance. The respect associated with a powerful passport reduces bureaucratic obstacles and potential discrimination.
- Global Perception and Soft Power
Holding the world’s most powerful passport enhances Singapore’s global image, signifying trust and stability. This positive perception benefits citizens and boosts Singapore’s soft power, reflecting its diplomatic success and effective governance.
India’s Rank In The Henley Passport Index 2024
In the 2024 Henley Passport Index, India’s passport ranks 82nd, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 58 destinations. India has gained two spots from last year in terms of these rankings, as it was ranked 84th in 2023. This ranking reflects moderate global mobility for Indian passport holders, balancing between regional strengths and global limitations. India shares its 82nd rank with two other countries- Senegal and Tajikistan.
India’s Rank Comparison With Previous Years
From 2006 to 2024, India’s passport ranking in the Henley Passport Index has exhibited significant fluctuations. Starting at 71st in 2006, it experienced a decline to 82nd by 2012, with a notable low of 90th in 2020.
The period between 2016 and 2019 saw minor improvements and some recovery, stabilising around the mid-80s in recent years.
Countries Where Indians Can Travel Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival (VOA)
Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 58 destinations. The countries where Indian citizens can travel Visa-Free or with Visa-on-arrival are:
| Visa-Free Travel | Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) |
|---|---|
| Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Vanuatu | Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe |
Passport Rankings Of India’s Neighbours In 2024
Here is the list of the rankings for the countries that neighbour India, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China.
| Rank | Country | Number Of Countries Accessible Visa-free/on-arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 103 | Afghanistan | 26 |
| 97 | Bangaldesh | 40 |
| 87 | Bhutan | 52 |
| 59 | China | 85 |
| 52 | Maldives | 94 |
| 92 | Myanmar | 45 |
| 98 | Nepal | 39 |
| 100 | Pakistan | 33 |
| 93 | Sri Lanka | 44 |
Least Powerful Passports In The World In 2024
Notably, Afghanistan’s passport is the world’s weakest passport, according to the 2024 rankings of the world’s most powerful passports. Here is the list of the world’s weakest passports in 2024 (rank greater than 100):
| Rank | Country | Number Of Countries Accessible Visa-Free/Visa-on-arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 103 | Afghanistan | 26 |
| 102 | Syria | 28 |
| 101 | Iraq | 31 |
| 100 | Yemen | 33 |
| 100 | Pakistan | 33 |
Methodology Of The Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is a renowned and authoritative passport ranking system, offering insights into global mobility for over 18 years. The index evaluates 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, updating its data monthly to reflect the most current visa policies. The foundation of the index is data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), which is then supplemented and refined through extensive in-house research and reliable open-source data.
Global Ranking And Visa Lists
Henley & Partners uses exclusive data from IATA, ensuring a robust and accurate foundation for the Henley Passport Index. To maintain precision amidst constant updates in visa policies, the research team cross-checks each passport against all 227 destinations using publicly available information, including government resources and major news outlets. This ongoing research process ensures that the index remains the most reliable and comprehensive of its kind.
Conditions And Criteria
The Henley Passport Index assigns scores based on visa requirements:
- A score of 1 is given if no visa is required, or if a visa on arrival, visitor’s permit, or electronic travel authority (ETA) is available.
- A score of 0 is given if a visa is required, or if pre-departure government approval is necessary for an e-Visa or visa on arrival.
The total score for each passport equals the number of destinations accessible without needing a visa, under the outlined conditions. The index assumes standard conditions, such as a valid, normal passport used by an adult citizen for short stays in major cities for tourist or business purposes.
ETAs And e-Visas
The index differentiates between ETAs and e-Visas:
- ETAs are treated as visa-free due to their automatic, quick processing and minimal information requirements.
- e-Visas are considered visa-required due to their manual processing, longer approval times, and extensive documentation requirements.
This distinction is crucial as different countries may use varying terminologies for their travel authorisation programs.
Regional Groupings
For user convenience, the visa lists are categorised into regions based on a combination of United Nations geographic categories and Henley & Partners business categories. This regional breakdown helps in understanding the accessibility of passports across different parts of the world.
World's Most Powerful Passports FAQs
As of 2024, the strongest passport in the world belongs to Singapore. This ranking is determined based on the number of destinations that holders of a particular passport can enter without a visa, or where they can obtain a visa on arrival.
As of 2024, the Indian passport is ranked 82nd, allowing visa-free access to its citizens in 58 countries.
The weakest passports in the world are Afghanistan (Rank 103), Syria (Rank 102), Iraq (Rank 101), Yemen and Pakistan (Rank 100).
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.
As of 2024, China’s passport is ranked 59th in the global passport rankings.
The three most powerful passports with Rank 1, 2 and 3 are:
Rank 1- Singapore
Rank 2- France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain
Rank 3- Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden
As of 2024, the Indian passport is ranked 82nd in the global passport rankings. This ranking indicates the number of destinations Indian passport holders can access without a visa or with a visa on arrival, which is currently 58 destinations.
Indians can travel Visa-free in 31 countries (Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Thailand, etc.) and can get Visa-on-arrival in 27 countries (Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka etc.).
Indians can travel visa-free in 31 countries: Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, and Vanuatu.
Yes, the South Korean passport is considered strong. As of 2024, it is ranked 3rd in the world in global passport rankings.
