Henley Passport Index 2024: Three Asian powers make it to top 10. Where does India stand?
Singapore has retained its title as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 countries, according to the October 2024 Henley Passport Index. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain tied for second place with access to ...
By ET Online |
Agencies
Singapore has been named the world’s most powerful passport again, offering its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released in October 2024.
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain shared the second place, granting their citizens visa-free access to 192 countries, as per the latest rankings.
The United States ranked 8th, giving its citizens visa-free entry to 186 countries.
Meanwhile, India ranked 83rd, providing its citizens with visa-free access to 58 countries.
Sr. No.
Country
Access
1
Singapore
195
2
France
192
2
Germany
192
2
Italy
192
2
Japan
192
2
Spain
192
3
Austria
191
3
Denmark
191
3
Finland
191
3
Ireland
191
3
Luxembourg
191
3
Netherlands
191
3
South Korea
191
3
Sweden
191
4
Belgium
190
4
New Zealand
190
4
Norway
190
4
Switzerland
190
4
United Kingdom
190
5
Australia
189
5
Portugal
189
The Asian powers:
Asian countries have consistently led the Henley Passport Index for several years. Nations such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea frequently occupy the top positions among the world’s most powerful passports, granting their citizens visa-free access to numerous countries. This reflects the strong diplomatic relationships these nations have built and sustained globally.
How passports are ranked
The passport ranking in the Henley Passport Index is based on a comprehensive methodology that considers several factors. These include the number of countries a passport holder can access without a visa, the country's diplomatic relations, and its international agreements.
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World’s weakest passports:
While some passports grant access to many countries, others come with restricted travel options. According to the Henley Passport Index 2024, the least powerful passports offer the least travel freedom, requiring holders to secure a visa for travel to most destinations.
Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and India’s neighbour Pakistan are the least powerful indexes in the world, as per the rankings.
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