Singapore holds world’s 'most powerful passport’

Asian countries led the global mobility race, with Japan and South Korea tied for second.

Singapore now holds the world’s most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 193 destinations out of 227 globally, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

Asian countries dominate the upper ranks, with Japan and South Korea tied for second place, granting access to 190 destinations.

European countries occupy the rest of the top five. Seven EU nations—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain—share third place with access to 189 destinations.

Fourth place is occupied by another group of seven European countries—Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden—with visa-free entry to 188 destinations.

New Zealand, the only nation to challenge the regional dominance, ties at fifth place with Greece and Switzerland.

At the bottom of the list is Afghanistan, whose passport grants visa-free entry to just 25 countries.

Amongst countries climbing the ranks, the UAE stands out, rising to 8th place from 42nd over the past decade.

China has also moved up significantly, jumping 34 places to 60th from 94th, despite not having visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area.