As per the latest Henley Passport Index 2023, Japanese citizens possess the world’s most powerful passport. This is the fifth consecutive year that Japan has topped the list, with visa-free entry to 193 global destinations. On the other hand, the Afghanistan passport has been ranked the lowest in the index.
The index jointly listed Singapore and South Korea passports as the second most powerful in the world. Both Asian countries were followed by Germany and Spain, then Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg. Three Asian countries- Japan, Singapore, and South Korea made it to the top ten most powerful passport indexes for the year 2023.
For frequent travelers, passport strength may provide better access and mobility to global markets and economies. According to the most recent Henley Passport Index 2023, which assesses passports based on their strength and mobility, there is some good news for Indian passport holders. India presently holds the 85th spot, down two spots from the 83rd spot from the previous year. A holder of an Indian passport can currently enter 59 nations without a visa, down from 60 nations last year; Iraq and Afghanistan are the final two nations on the list.
Henley Passport Index
Henley and Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory company with offices in London, creates the Henley Passport Index. The index, which calls itself the “original ranking of all passports in the world,” is updated four times a year to take into account modifications to the visa requirements. The data for it is provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which regulates international airline cooperation. The index covers 227 places and assesses the availability of 199 various passports for visa-free travel to 227 various travel destinations. If a visa is not required, that passport receives a score of 1. If you arrive with a visa, visitor’s permit, or electronic travel authority (ETA), the same rules apply.
India’s Position in the Henley Passport Index
Speaking of India, the Indian passport ranks 85th on the list of the world’s most powerful passports as of 2023. 59 nations accept Indian passport holders without a visa. Prior to this change, the Indian passport was ranked 82nd, 84th, 85th, and 83rd for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Holders of Indian passports do not need visas to enter 59 countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Macao, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Iran, and Qatar. For some of these locations, nevertheless, Indian passport holders could require a visa upon arrival.
Top 10 Strongest Passports in the world List
The number of nations that holders of a passport can enter without a visa or with one upon arrival is used by the index to determine which passports are the strongest. The following 10 passports are among the world’s strongest:
- Japan (193)
- Singapore/South Korea (192)
- Germany/Spain (190)
- Finland/Italy/Luxembourg (189)
- Austria/Denmark/Netherlands/Sweden (188)
- France/Ireland/Portugal/United Kingdom (187)
- Belgium/Czech Republic/New Zealand/Norway/Switzerland/United States (186)
- Australia/Canada/Greece/Malta (185)
- Hungary/Poland (184)
- Lithuania/Slovakia (183)
Top 10 Worst passports for 2023
- Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Sudan (42 destinations)
- Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya (41 destinations)
- North Korea (40 destinations)
- Nepal, Palestinian Territory (38 destinations)
- Somalia (35 destinations)
- Yemen (34 destinations)
- Pakistan (32 destinations)
- Syria (30 destinations)
- Iraq (29 destinations)
- Afghanistan (27 destinations)
Why Does It Matter?
A strong passport can make it easier for individuals to travel internationally for business, tourism, and study. Additionally, it may open up more opportunities for individuals and companies to access overseas markets and economies.
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