Compared to a few decades ago, people around the world now have much more freedom to travel between countries. In 2006, the average citizen of one country could enter 58 countries and territories without a visa. That number has now increased to 111. In just the past year, citizens with French, German, Spanish, and Italian passports were able to enter an additional 3 countries without a visa.
The infographic below shows the most powerful passports in the world based on data from the 2024 Henley & Partners Passport Index annual report. The top 6 passports are held by France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain, with visa-free access to 194 countries/territories. Japan and Singapore have held this position for the past 5 years. 4 European countries have moved up to this position this year.
China recently granted visa-free access to these 4 countries as well as 50 other European countries, in an effort to revive the tourism industry after the Covid-19 pandemic. Around the world, many countries are taking similar measures to boost tourism and stimulate economic activity. Over the past 8 years, German and Singaporean passport holders have gained visa-free access to 35 new countries.
Tied at second place with visa-free access to 193 places are Finland, Sweden, and South Korea. The USA ranks 7th in this index – one of its lowest positions in history. In the past decade, the US passport has slipped in the rankings due to diplomatic tensions and less open policies towards foreign visitors. For example, Brazil recently ended visa-free access for US citizens in response to similar measures taken by Washington.
In terms of regions, 23 out of the top 30 most powerful passports in the world are in Europe, with 3 in Asia. Oceania and North America each have 2 representatives.
Around the world, some places are tightening visa policies. For example, starting in 2025, US citizens will need to apply for a visa to enter Europe, instead of being exempt as they currently are. In addition to US citizens, Canadian, Mexican, and South American citizens will also need to fill out a visa application before entering Europe. In most cases, visa applications are processed in just a few minutes, but in some places, it can take up to a few weeks.
On the other hand, in Asia, Indonesia is discussing granting visa-free access to citizens of 20 countries around the world to promote tourism and investment in the country. Singapore is also considering visa-free access for Chinese citizens. Recently, Thailand and Malaysia have granted visa-free access to Chinese citizens as tourists from China play a significant role in the tourism industry in these countries.
