World’s Most Powerful Passports in 2023

Henley & Partners, a London-based global citizenship and residence advice service, has issued its latest quarterly study, which finds that citizens of three Asian countries have greater travel flexibility than citizens of any other country.

The number of countries that do not require a visa for Japanese nationals to enter is a record 193, surpassing the 192 countries that are visa-free for Singapore and South Korean citizens.

And with Asia-Pacific opening up following Covid, its citizens are more likely to use that freedom to travel once more.

According to Henley Passport Index’s most recent report, based on statistics from the International Air Transport Association, global travel is almost 75% higher than before the pandemic (IATA).

Below the Asian top three, a glut of European countries sits near the top of the leaderboard. Germany and Spain are tied to 190 destinations, followed by Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg at 189.

Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden are tied at fifth place, followed by France, Ireland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, ranked sixth overall.

At No. 7, among Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic are New Zealand and the United States.

Whilst at No. 8 are Australia, Canada, Greece and Malta, with 185 destinations.

Afghan nationals remain at the bottom of the index once more and are only permitted entry into 27 countries without a prior visa.

The best passports to hold in 2023, according to the Henley Passport Index

1. Japan (193 destinations)
2. Singapore, South Korea (192 destinations)
3. Germany, Spain (190 destinations)
4. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg (189 destinations)
5. Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden (188 destinations)
6. France, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom (187 destinations)
7. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United States, Czech Republic (186 destinations)
8. Australia, Canada, Greece, Malta (185 destinations)
9. Hungary, Poland (184 destinations)
10. Lithuania, Slovakia (183 destinations)

Source: CNN