A passport is the key to traveling abroad. However, some passports are considered to be “stronger” than others. The world’s most powerful passports are those that offer the greatest travel freedom.
The strongest passports are those that allow the holder to enter the most countries easily, without extra entry requirements, such as visas.
There are different factors that affect travel freedom and the strength of a passport. The Henley Passport Index (HPI), compiled by Henley & Partners, is regarded as the authority on passport strength. It ranks every passport in the world by the travel freedom it allows.
Find out the world passport ranking for 2023 below.
How Do You Measure the Strength of a Passport?
All sovereign states issue passports to their citizens. These documents are essential to travel to other countries. However, many destinations also require visitors to have a visa to enter.
In some cases, a country’s visa policy may allow travelers of certain nationalities to visit without a visa for a period of time. This is usually due to agreements between the 2 countries in question. In these situations, the traveler’s passport is all that is needed.
The more countries that a traveler can access visa-free, the more powerful their passport.
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of destinations holders can enter without applying for a visa in advance (including both embassy visas and online visas).
The HPI ranks a passport highly if it allows the holder to visit many countries with any of the following entry criteria:
- Passport only
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA) / online visa waiver
- Visa on arrival
The World’s Strongest Passports for Travel Freedom
In 2023, the most powerful passport in the world in terms of travel freedom is the Singaporean passport, according to the HPI.
A passport issued by Singapore allows the holder to enter 193 different countries and territories without having to get a visa in advance.
Japan, South Korea, and European Union (EU) countries make up the bulk of the top-ranked passports. Japan takes 2nd place (191 destinations), followed by Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden in 3rd place (190 destinations).
Austrian, Danish, Dutch, Irish, Luxembourgian, and British passports tie for 4th (189 destinations). Belgian, Maltese, Norwegian, and Portuguese passports are co-ranked 5th (188).
Australian, New Zealand, and Switzerland are currently ranked 6th in the world, 187 visa-free destinations. The top 10 passports in the world also include those issued by the US and Canada.
There are relatively few countries with visa requirements for Americans. US passport holders can visit 186 destinations visa-free.
Similarly, there are few visa requirements for British citizens, with no visa required in advance for 189 countries and territories.
Meanwhile, Australian and Canadian passports allow access to 187 and 186 destinations without a visa, respectively.
See the visa requirements for Australians and the visa requirements for Canadians for further details about which destinations may be visited without a visa.
What Country Has the Weakest Passport?
Afghanistan has the weakest passport in the world by travel freedom.
The HPI places Afghanistan at the bottom of its list, in 106th place.
A passport issued by Afghanistan allows the holder to enter only 27 countries and territories without applying for a visa in advance. Of these, many still require the traveler to apply for a visa on arrival.
The Weakest Passports for Travel Freedom in the World
Syrian passports are only just above those issued by Afghanistan in the HPI rankings, allowing entry to 28 destinations without getting a visa prior to the trip.
Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen round out the bottom 5 in 2023, with 30, 33, and 34 visa-free destinations, respectively.
The Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World
The top 10 most powerful passports in 2023 are those issued by Singapore, Japan, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Austria.However, since most of these are tied for position, the top 10 positions have been listed in the table below.
They have been ranked in descending order according to the number of destinations passport holders can enter without applying for a visa before traveling.
The data presented below is based on the current HPI ranking for each passport.
The Top 10 Least Powerful Passports
The least powerful passports in terms of travel freedom are ranked below, according to the data presented by the HPI.
As a seasoned traveler and global affairs enthusiast, my expertise lies in understanding the intricacies of international travel, including the factors that determine the strength of a passport. I have closely followed the developments in passport rankings and the methodologies used by authoritative sources such as the Henley Passport Index (HPI). My knowledge extends beyond the surface, delving into the nuances of visa policies, entry requirements, and the geopolitical agreements that influence travel freedom.
The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, is a benchmark in assessing passport strength. This index meticulously evaluates and ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without the need for a visa in advance. This includes various entry criteria such as passport-only access, electronic travel authorization (eTA)/online visa waiver, and visa on arrival.
For the year 2023, the Singaporean passport claims the top spot as the world's most powerful passport. Holders of a Singaporean passport enjoy visa-free access to an impressive 193 countries and territories. Following closely are passports from Japan, South Korea, and European Union (EU) countries, comprising the upper echelons of the rankings. Japan secures the second position with access to 191 destinations, while EU countries like Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden jointly occupy the third spot with 190 destinations.
The top 10 passports are characterized by their ability to grant holders access to a significant number of countries without the need for prior visa applications. Passports from Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom share the fourth position with access to 189 destinations. Meanwhile, passports from Belgium, Malta, Norway, and Portugal jointly secure the fifth position with 188 destinations.
Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland are tied for the sixth position, allowing passport holders access to 187 visa-free destinations. Notably, the United States and Canada also make it to the top 10, offering their passport holders access to 186 destinations without visa requirements.
Conversely, Afghanistan holds the unfortunate distinction of having the weakest passport in the world in terms of travel freedom. Placed at the bottom of the HPI rankings at 106th place, an Afghan passport allows entry to only 27 countries and territories without requiring a visa in advance. Other countries with notably weak passports include Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen, with varying degrees of travel freedom.
In conclusion, the Henley Passport Index serves as a valuable tool for understanding the global landscape of travel freedom, shedding light on the stark disparities between the world's most powerful and least powerful passports. The data presented here is a snapshot of the dynamic nature of international travel and passport strength, offering valuable insights for travelers and policymakers alike.
