DestinationsJapan has been dethroned from the top position by a Southeast Asian nation that previously held the title.

Guess which country is back with the most powerful passport

Jul 20, 2023

Singapore has emerged as the new champion, overtaking Japan’s five-year reign at the top of the Henley Passport Index. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/tanaonte

Singapore has emerged as the world's most powerful passport, surpassing Japan which has now been bumped down to the third spot, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

Singaporean citizens now enjoy visa-free access to 192 out of 227 travel destinations. Sharing the second position are Germany, Italy, and Spain, all with visa-free access to 190 destinations.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has made a positive shift by climbing two places to secure the fourth spot, which it last held in 2017. On the other hand, the United States continues its downward trajectory, falling two places to the eighth position with visa-free access to only 184 destinations.

Over the past decade, the US has exhibited the smallest increase in its passport score compared to its counterparts. While the US secured visa-free access to only 12 additional destinations between 2013 and 2023, Singapore witnessed a significant increase of 25, propelling it to the top spot.

Efforts to increase openness and mobility are observed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The UAE has demonstrated significant progress, adding 107 destinations to its visa-free score since 2013 and climbing 44 places in the ranking over the past decade.

Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index, with a dismal visa-free access score of 27, followed by Iraq and Syria as the three weakest passports globally.