Discover the top passports of 2024: Is Australia on the list?
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The allure of globetrotting without the hassle of visa applications is a dream for many travellers, and for some lucky passport holders, this dream is a reality.
This 2024, a new ranking has emerged, showcasing the world's most powerful passports that offer the freedom to explore the globe with unprecedented ease.
In a remarkable shift in the Henley Passport Index's quarterly ranking, six nations have risen to share the coveted top spot, granting their citizens the luxury of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a staggering 194 destinations worldwide.
This is the highest number since the inception of the index 19 years ago, reflecting an ever-increasing interconnectedness and accessibility across international borders.
The champions of travel freedom in 2024 are the European powerhouses of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, alongside the Asian trailblazers Japan and Singapore.
This diverse group of countries also exemplifies the global nature of travel today, with both Europe and Asia represented at the pinnacle of passport prestige.
The Henley Passport Index, curated by the London-based advisory firm Henley & Partners, draws on the exclusive database of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to provide a comprehensive look at the travel freedoms enjoyed by various nationalities.
Trailing closely behind the leaders, Finland, Sweden, and South Korea share the second tier, each offering access to 193 destinations.
The third tier includes Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands, each with 192 destinations within easy reach.
The rankings continue with Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom at fourth place, while Greece, Malta, and Switzerland hold the fifth position.
Notably, Australia and New Zealand have climbed the ranks to join the Czech Republic and Poland at sixth place with 189 visa-free destinations, reflecting their growing global stature.
Meanwhile, the United States and Canada, along with Hungary, find themselves in seventh place, with visa-free access to 188 destinations.
One of the most impressive ascents in passport power has been that of the United Arab Emirates, which has soared to the 11th position after adding an incredible 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014.
This demonstrates the ongoing efforts of nations to negotiate bilateral agreements that enhance the travel capabilities of their citizens.
Christian H Kaelin, the Chair of Henley & Partners and the creator of the passport index, has highlighted a concerning trend: the widening gap in global mobility between the highest and lowest-ranking passports.
'The average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024,' Kaelin said.
'However, the top-ranked countries are now able to travel to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the ranking with access to just 28 countries without a visa.'
Syria is the second-lowest ranking passport with visa free access to only 29 destinations. While Iraq can access 31 and Pakistan can access 34.
The Henley Passport Index is not the only measure of passport power.
Arton Capital's Passport Index also ranks global passports, considering those of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories—Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Kosovo, the Palestinian territories and the Vatican.
It is said to be a tool 'for people who travel, to provide accurate, simple-to-access information for their travel needs,' Armand Arton, Arton Capital’s Founder said.
Updated in real-time using data gathered by close monitoring of individual governments’ portals, Arton's Index provides a dynamic view of travel freedoms and has placed the UAE at the top for 2024, with a score of 180 for visa-free/visa-on-arrival access.
Arton's Index also highlighted the strong performance of European countries, with Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands holding second place.
Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland occupy the third tier, while the UK and the US are positioned in the fifth and sixth places, respectively.
The rise of regional power hubs like Hong Kong, Macao, and Monaco has been noted, but Albania has been dubbed the 'rising star' by Arton Capital.
'Demand for its famously hardworking citizens [Albania] has dramatically increased, with governments queuing up to make it easier for Albanians to live and work in their countries,' Arton Capital said in a statement.
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This 2024, a new ranking has emerged, showcasing the world's most powerful passports that offer the freedom to explore the globe with unprecedented ease.
In a remarkable shift in the Henley Passport Index's quarterly ranking, six nations have risen to share the coveted top spot, granting their citizens the luxury of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a staggering 194 destinations worldwide.
This is the highest number since the inception of the index 19 years ago, reflecting an ever-increasing interconnectedness and accessibility across international borders.
Henley & Partners has released the list of nations with the most powerful passports. Image source: Henley & Partners.
The champions of travel freedom in 2024 are the European powerhouses of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, alongside the Asian trailblazers Japan and Singapore.
This diverse group of countries also exemplifies the global nature of travel today, with both Europe and Asia represented at the pinnacle of passport prestige.
The Henley Passport Index, curated by the London-based advisory firm Henley & Partners, draws on the exclusive database of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to provide a comprehensive look at the travel freedoms enjoyed by various nationalities.
Trailing closely behind the leaders, Finland, Sweden, and South Korea share the second tier, each offering access to 193 destinations.
The third tier includes Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands, each with 192 destinations within easy reach.
The rankings continue with Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom at fourth place, while Greece, Malta, and Switzerland hold the fifth position.
Notably, Australia and New Zealand have climbed the ranks to join the Czech Republic and Poland at sixth place with 189 visa-free destinations, reflecting their growing global stature.
Meanwhile, the United States and Canada, along with Hungary, find themselves in seventh place, with visa-free access to 188 destinations.
One of the most impressive ascents in passport power has been that of the United Arab Emirates, which has soared to the 11th position after adding an incredible 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014.
This demonstrates the ongoing efforts of nations to negotiate bilateral agreements that enhance the travel capabilities of their citizens.
Christian H Kaelin, the Chair of Henley & Partners and the creator of the passport index, has highlighted a concerning trend: the widening gap in global mobility between the highest and lowest-ranking passports.
'The average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024,' Kaelin said.
'However, the top-ranked countries are now able to travel to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the ranking with access to just 28 countries without a visa.'
Syria is the second-lowest ranking passport with visa free access to only 29 destinations. While Iraq can access 31 and Pakistan can access 34.
The Henley Passport Index is not the only measure of passport power.
Arton Capital's Passport Index also ranks global passports, considering those of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories—Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Kosovo, the Palestinian territories and the Vatican.
It is said to be a tool 'for people who travel, to provide accurate, simple-to-access information for their travel needs,' Armand Arton, Arton Capital’s Founder said.
Updated in real-time using data gathered by close monitoring of individual governments’ portals, Arton's Index provides a dynamic view of travel freedoms and has placed the UAE at the top for 2024, with a score of 180 for visa-free/visa-on-arrival access.
Arton's Index also highlighted the strong performance of European countries, with Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands holding second place.
Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland occupy the third tier, while the UK and the US are positioned in the fifth and sixth places, respectively.
The rise of regional power hubs like Hong Kong, Macao, and Monaco has been noted, but Albania has been dubbed the 'rising star' by Arton Capital.
'Demand for its famously hardworking citizens [Albania] has dramatically increased, with governments queuing up to make it easier for Albanians to live and work in their countries,' Arton Capital said in a statement.
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