[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Hold your passports, we have new passport powerhouses!
Over the past few years there have been a lot of movement in the travel space but nothing more important than the changes to the power of the passport one holds. As the aspiration and desire to travel and see different places on this planet fuelled by social media influencers and the wanderlust lives they live it becomes more apparent how important the passport you hold is.
The Henley Passport Index has put together the list of most powerful passports in the world. The Henley Passport Index is based on authoritative data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and bases its rankings on how many countries a passport entitles a traveller to enter without having to pre-apply for a visa.
The latest rankings sparks good news for the local Asia -Pacific region but also shows the inroads many Asian countries are making in terms of development.
Dr Christian H. Kälin, group chairman of Henley & Partners said “Historical data from the Henley Passport Index over the past 14 years shows an overwhelming global tendency towards visa openness and that most countries remain committed to collaboration and mutually beneficial agreements.”
Top 10 from the Henley Passport Index:
1. Japan, Singapore, South Korea — 189 (destinations)
2. Germany — 188
3. France, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden — 187
4. Luxembourg, Spain — 186
5. Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, US — 185
6. UK, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland — 184
7. Czech Republic — 183
8. Malta — 182
9. Australia, Iceland, New Zealand — 181
10. Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia — 180
Countries from Europe continue to have the most powerful passports in the index with European nations dominating the top 10.
On the bottom of the list and the countries with the least travel freedom were Iraq and Afghanistan with passport holders only able to travel freely to 30 destinations closely followed by Somalia and Syria at 32 destinations.
Check out it if your passport also offers the power for a Working Holiday visa to Australia here
To see the full Henley Passport Index click here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]