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Singapore Passport Tops Henley Passport Index 2023 as World’s Most Powerful

According to the Henley Passport Index, Singapore now holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to 192 out of 227 global travel destinations. Three European countries, namely Germany, Italy, and Spain, have moved up one rank to share the second position, with visa-free access to 190 destinations. For the first time in five years, Japan has been dethroned from the top spot and now ranks third, with its passport providing visa-free access to 189 destinations.

India’s ranking in Henley Passport Index

India has made significant progress in the Henley Passport Index, improving its ranking by 5 spots compared to the previous year. It currently shares the 80th position on the index with Togo and Senegal. Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 57 countries, reflecting the country’s enhanced global travel privileges.

Overview of the Henley Passport Index

The United States, formerly the top-ranked country almost a decade ago, has now slipped to the eighth position in the Henley Passport Index. It shares this position with Lithuania, with both countries offering visa-free access to 184 destinations.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom has made significant progress, jumping two places to claim the fourth spot in the index. British passport holders can now access 188 countries without a visa, a position they last held in 2017.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Afghanistan holds the lowest rank in the ranking, with its passport holders having visa-free access to only 27 destinations. Just above Afghanistan are Iraq with a score of 29 and Syria with 30, making them the three weakest passports in the world.
The influx of migrants into Singapore, driven by a crackdown on private enterprise in China and concerns over geopolitical tensions, has resulted in increased citizenship grants in the nation. Approximately 23,100 people were granted Singaporean citizenship last year.

Passports of these countries hold the top 10 spots on the Henley Index:

Rank	Country	Visa-free travel to (out of 277 nations)
1	Singapore	192
2	Germany, Italy, Spain	190
3	Austria, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Sweden	189
4	Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, UK	188
5	Belgium, Czech Republic, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland	187
6	Australia, Hungary, Poland	186
7	Canada, Greece	185
8	Lithuania, US	184
9	Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia	183
10	Estonia, Iceland	182

Passports of these countries hold the bottom 10 spots on the Henley Index:

Rank	Country	Visa-free travel to (out of 277 nations)
103	Afghanistan	27
102	Iraq	29
101	Syria	30
100	Pakistan	33
99	Yemen, Somalia	35
98	Palestinian territory, Nepal	38
97	North Korea	39
96	Bangladesh	40
95	Sri Lanka, Libya	41
94	Kosovo	42

About the Henley Passport Index

Invented nearly 20 years ago by Dr Christian H Kaelin, Chairman, Henley & Partners, the index is based on the exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is the original ranking of all the passports according to the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa. It’s worth noting that the Henley Passport Index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association to calculate its rankings. The methodology used by this index differs from other passport rankings, such as the one published by financial advisory Arton Capital, which placed the United Arab Emirates in the top position last year.

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Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, my role involves researching and creating informative and engaging content aimed at helping candidates prepare for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in delivering insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest current affairs trends and developments. My primary focus is on educational excellence, ensuring that our readers are well-prepared and informed to face their exams with confidence. Through meticulously crafted content, I aim to guide and support candidates in their journey toward success.