Australia climbs on list of world’s most powerful passports
The ranking is based on the number of countries you can visit without requiring a full visa.
By Staff Writers, July 24 2024
Singapore has once again claimed pole position on the annual Henley Passport Index, with the nation’s passport dubbed ‘the world’s most powerful’ for the second year running.
In a welcome move, Australia has now entered the top five, up from last year’s sixth place on the newly-updated list. But what exactly makes a passport powerful?
Immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, which produces the quarterly Henley Passport Index, measures a passport’s might by how many countries an ordinary citizen can enter without needing to apply for a full visa with the government beforehand.
This includes situations where no visa is required or where travellers can easily obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit or some form of electronic travel authority in the case of visa-waiver programs such as the USA’s ESTA.
Singaporean passport holders can access an impressive 195 countries sans a full visa, narrowly besting France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain in equal second place at 192.
Australia now sits in equal fifth alongside Portugal, with entry to 189 countries. (The new visa waiver arrangement with China is partly behind Australia’s three point climb).
Here are the ratings for the coveted top ten spots on the world’s most powerful passports for 2024.
1. Singapore (195)
2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192)
3. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191)
4. Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)
5. Australia, Portugal (189)
6. Greece, Poland (188)
7. Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta (187)
8. United States (186)
9. Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates (185)
10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (184)
The United Arab Emirates saw the biggest climb year-on-year – jumping a remarkable 53 places in the ranking from 62nd to 9th place. It’s added an impressive 152 destinations since the index’s inception in 2006.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and inventor of the passport index concept, says “the general trend over the past two decades has been towards greater travel freedom, with the global average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024.”
“However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked Singapore able to access a record-breaking 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan,” Kaelin adds.
The index, which uses 19 years of data, helps wealthy individuals and governments assess the value of citizenships around the world based on which passports offer the most prolific visa-free, or visa-on-arrival access.
26 Mar 2020
Total posts 2
Would it be slightly more accurate to say that Australia comes in at 20th on the list after 19 other countries?
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
If you look at some countries that above Australia you will recognize that difference is nothing and you will not go to those destinations that "better" passports could while Australian passport cannot. At the end of the day for me is vital that Asia, Europe and Canada open. Everything else not much of difference - if I will decide to go somewhere as once per lifetime trip getting visa would not be biggest hindrance.
23 Sep 2023
Total posts 16
Not looking to visit Cote d'Ivoire, Russia, North Korea or any of the others on the still require visas list. Happy with 5th (20th - I agree glav2610) spot.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
And what wrong with Russia, North Korea and Cote d'Ivore as destinations? Meanwhile you can go without any restriction to Israel and Palestinian Territories, cannot you? All corners of the world pretty much equal as point of interest as long as you do not have relatives or business there. I am interested in countries that I plan to visit frequently for any reason otherwise does not really matter.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
Would be more interesting to know the countries that these passports open not just the numbers
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