Singapore now has the most powerful passport in the world; India gains two spots

Singapore has reclaimed its position as the holder of the world’s most powerful passport, surpassing European countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. According to the Henley Passport Index, a Singaporean passport now allows visa-free entry to 195 global destinations, the highest of any country.

This achievement puts Singapore at the top of the index, displacing the four European nations, which now share the second spot alongside Japan.

For the first time, seven countries occupy the third position on the index.

Citizens of Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden can access 191 destinations without a visa.

These rankings, compiled by London-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, use data from the International Air Transport Association to evaluate 199 passports’ access to 227 travel destinations.

“The ability to travel visa-free to a wide array of destinations is no longer merely a convenience,” said Henley’s Chief Executive Officer, Juerg Steffen. “It’s a powerful economic tool that can drive growth, foster international cooperation, and attract foreign investment.”

The United States has continued its decline on the Henley Passport Index, dropping one spot to eighth place.

This extends its decade-long slide; the US was a joint first with the UK a decade ago.

The UK now ranks fourth. At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan’s passport remains the world’s weakest, allowing visa-free entry to only 26 destinations.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/singapore-is-now-the-most-powerful-passport-in-the-world-india-gains-two-spots/articleshow/111979713.cms