Singapore has become the country with the world’s most powerful passport, according to this year’s Henley Passport Index, replacing Japan who has been on the top spot for the past five years. Currently, Singapore passport holders do not need a visa to visit 192 destinations across the world. The second place on the Henley Passport Index this year is shared by Germany, Italy and Spain, whose passports have visa-free access to 190 countries and regions. Japan has dropped to third place, sharing the position with six other countries – including South Korea – whose passports have visa-free access to 189 places around the world.
Placing fourth is the UK, Netherlands, Ireland and Denmark with 188 countries, while Portugal and New Zealand along with five other countries are placed fifth with 187 visa-free countries. Australia, Hungary and Poland come next with 186 countries, while the US and Lithuania are on No. 8 with 184 countries.
Indonesia is placed 77 with 70 visa-free countries and the Philippines is on the 80th with 66 countries. In the last three spots are Afghanistan with 27 visa-free countries only, Iraq with 29 countries, as well as Pakistan and Syria, whose passports only give visa-free access to 30 places. (Wong Kin Ang)
Photo: Keith Yap
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