Topping the list of the strongest passports in the world is Singapore, with its citizens enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations. Japan comes in second place, with its passport holders able to visit 191 destinations without a visa. Germany, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Finland share the third spot, with visa-free access to 190 destinations.
Criteria for Ranking Passport Strength
Passport strength is measured by the number of countries a passport holder can enter without a visa, as well as other factors such as global mobility score, dual citizenship, and taxation policies. The following subsections describe the criteria used to rank the top 10 strongest passports in the world.
Visa-Free Access
Visa-free access refers to the number of countries a passport holder can enter without obtaining a visa. The more countries a passport allows entry to without a visa, the stronger it is considered. Passport holders with visa-free access can travel more freely and easily, making their passport more valuable.
Global Mobility Score
The global mobility score is a measure of how well a country's passport allows its citizens to travel internationally. The score takes into account the number of countries a passport holder can enter without a visa, as well as the length of time they can stay in each country. The higher the score, the stronger the passport is considered.
Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship is the ability to hold citizenship in two countries at the same time. Countries that allow dual citizenship are considered to have stronger passports, as passport holders can enjoy the benefits of both countries. Dual citizenship can also provide greater access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities.
Taxation Policies
Taxation policies can also affect the strength of a passport. Countries with favorable tax policies are more likely to attract wealthy individuals, who can then obtain citizenship and a passport. These individuals can then travel more freely and easily, making their passport more valuable.
2023 Top 10 Strongest Passports
Passports are the most important travel document that allows individuals to travel around the world. The strength of a passport is determined by the number of countries it allows its holder to enter without a visa or with a visa on arrival. The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, has released its 2023 report. Here are the top 10 strongest passports in the world in 2023.
1. Singapore
The Singapore's passport tops the list with visa-free access to 193 countries. The country has maintained its position since 2022.
2. Japan
The Japanese Passport is in second place with visa-free access to 191 countries. The country has moved up one spot since 2022.
3. Germany, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Finland
Passports from Germany, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Finland all share the third spot, with visa-free access to 190 destinations countries.
4. The United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Netherland, and Luxembourg
Passports from The United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Netherland, Luxembourg and Canada share the fourth spot, with holders of passports from these countries visa-free access to 189 countries
5. Belgium, Malta, Norway and Portugal
Passports from Belgium, Malta, Norway and Portugal are ranked in fifth place with visa-free access to 188 countries.
6. Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland
Passports from Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland share the sixth place with visa-free access to 187 countries.
7. The United States, Canada, Czech, Greece, and Poland
The United States, Canada, Czech, Greece, and Poland have their passports ranked in seventh place with visa-free access to 186 countries.
8. Hungary
The Hungarian passport is in eighth place with visa-free access to 185 countries. The country has moved up one spot since 2022.
9. Lithuania
The Lithuanian passport is in ninth place with visa-free access to 184 countries.
10. Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia
Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia have their respective passports is in tenth place with visa-free access to 183 countries.
In conclusion, these are the top 10 strongest passports in the world in 2023. It is worth noting that the rankings can change from year to year, depending on various factors such as political relations between countries, security concerns, and immigration policies.