When it comes to international traveling, the first thing that comes to one’s mind is a passport. A passport is basically a document issued by the government which identifies the nationality and identity of the bearer and facilitates international traveling. For a citizen to travel to other countries, he often has to get a visa from foreign nations. This process differs in the case of one passport to another as some passports have visa-free access to many countries. The more access a passport has, the more powerful it is deemed to be.
This is where the Henley Passport Index comes in. This index ranks passports according to their international influence. It also shows how your passport has changed over the past 16 years and what countries you have visa-free access to.
The Henley Passport Index is the only IATA (International Air Transport Association) data-based passport index, backed by expert commentary and comprehensive in-house analysis. Moreover, it is frequently updated throughout the year, making it the most trustworthy, and accurate index of its kind. Here is a ranking and brief summary of the top 10 most powerful passports of 2020.
1. Japan
The number 1 spot on this list is taken by one of the most prominent East-Asian countries, Japan, which has visa-free access to 191 countries.
2. Singapore
Closely behind Japan is another Asian country, Singapore. Singapore has visa-free access to 190 countries including many countries from Europe and North America.
3. South Korea and Germany
In the third spot, we find our first European country, Germany, who shares the spot with the southern segment of Korea. Both of these countries have visa-free access to 189 countries and have secured this position because of their good relationship with other countries and strong economies.
4. Italy, Finland, Spain and Luxembourg
At number 4, there are four European countries which are Italy, Finland, Spain and Luxembourg. All of these countries have visa-free access to 188 countries which are somewhat similar. These countries primarily have access to more countries as they are part of the EU and have a strong relationship with most countries.
5. Denmark and Austria
Denmark, a Scandinavian country situated in the northern part of Europe, and Austria, another European country situated in central Europe, takes the 5th spot together. As all of these countries have paper free access to 187 different countries.
6. Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands and Ireland
At number 6, there are 5 prominent European countries which have access to 186 countries.
7. Switzerland, The United States, The United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium and New Zealand
With visa-free access to 185 countries, this spot is shared by 5 countries as well. Countries in this spot are mixed from different regions such North America, Europe and Oceania.
8. Australia, Greece, Malta and Czech Republic
Moving on to the lower part of the list, in this spot, the four countries who share the spot with access to 184 countries are Australia, Greece, Malta and Czech Republic.
9. Canada
Another North American superpower enters the list on the 9th spot with visa-free access to 183 countries.
10. Hungary
Lastly, the list ends with another central European nation, Hungary, which has access to 182 countries.
If you want to learn more about the passport you hold or any other country’s passport, visit Henley Passport Index.
