Which Country Has the Most Powerful Passport in the World?

ASIAN COUNTRIES dominate the list for the most powerful passports in the world at the start of 2019, according to the Henley Passport Index.

Japan offers the most powerful passports when it comes to visa-free travel, with access to 190 destinations. Singapore and South Korea follow close behind, tying for the No. 2 spot with access to 189 countries. The U.S. ties for sixth place, offering access to 185 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index, published by Henley & Partners, uses data from the International Air Transport Association to determine how many destinations passport holders in every country can access without first obtaining a visa. The index is updated in real time throughout the year to reflect visa-policy changes.

France and Germany tie for third place, with access to 188 countries. Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden tie for fourth place, with access to 187 destinations. Luxembourg and Spain tie for No. 5, with 186 countries. Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. all ranked No. 6, with access to 185 countries.

Belgium, Canada, Greece and Ireland tie for No. 7, with access to 184 countries, and the Czech Republic follows with the No. 8 spot, offering passport holders access to 183 countries. Malta claims the No. 9 spot, with access to 182 countries, and Australia, Iceland and New Zealand round out the top 10 with access to 181 destinations.

Iraq and Afghanistan tie for the least powerful passports, with access to 30 countries. Syria, Somalia, Pakistan, Yemen and Eritrea round out the bottom of the list.

Henley & Partners' index yields different results than a similar index created by the advisory firm Arton Capital, which is also updated throughout the year. Arton's Passport Index ranks the United Arab Emirates as the place with the most powerful passport, followed by Germany. The U.S. has a passport power rank of 3, along with 11 other countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France. Japan ties with eight other countries for the No. 4 spot.