Passport power: The UK climbs to fifth place in the world while Russia falls – top 10
Travel: Expert warns of disruption to UK aviation
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The Henley Passport Index ranks passport power every year. Using data from the International Air Transport Association, the index rates passports based on how many countries holders can visit.
The UK passport allows holders to visit 187 countries and is now at number five in the world.
It has climbed up one place from last year, after taking a hit following the EU Brexit referendum.
The world’s most powerful passports belong to Japan and Singapore whose residents can visit 192 countries.
Germany and South Korea ranked in second place and residents of both nations can visit 190 countries.
Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain have the third most powerful passports in the world and nationals of each country can visit 189 countries.
The rankings are always heavily impacted by geopolitical events and it’s no surprise that Russia has taken a hit year.
Russia is now ranked in 49th place as many countries implemented travel bans and sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine has risen in the passport power index to 34th place, which is a record high for the country.
Top 10 most powerful passports
Japan, Singapore
Germany, South Korea
Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain
Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden
France, Ireland, Portugal, UK
Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, USA
Australia, Canada, Czechia, Greece, Malta
Hungary
Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia
Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia
The USA sits just behind the UK in sixth place and residents of the USA can visit 186 countries.
The weakest passport in the world is Afghanistan. Afghan people can visit 26 countries without a visa.
Syria and Iraq also have weaker passports with residents restricted from entering many countries.
Iraqi nationals can visit 28 countries while Syrian nationals can travel to just 29 countries without a visa.
Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Nepal and North Korea are also ranked among the 10 weakest passports.
British citizens can travel to the Schengen Zone for 90 out of every 180 days without needing a visa since Brexit. The Zone includes many EU countries such as Spain, France, Greece and Portugal.
However, if they want to stay for more than 90 days in a 180 day period, they will need to have a visa.
If Britons overstay the 90 day rule they could face fines, detainment or even a ban from the Schengen zone.
Source: Read Full Article
