Singapore Reclaims Title of Most Powerful Passport: How Does India Compare?

Singapore has reclaimed the title of the world’s most powerful passport, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. But what does having the “most powerful” passport actually entail, and where does India stand in the rankings?

The Henley Passport Index, a globally recognized ranking developed by consultancy Henley & Partners, determines passport strength based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This index prioritizes the number of countries passport holders can enter without needing a visa, which is viewed as the defining factor of passport power.

Currently, Indian passport holders rank 83rd on the Henley Index, allowing visa-free travel to 58 destinations. This is an improvement from the previous year, when India held the 85th position, signaling a gradual but positive shift in the country’s global mobility score.

On the other hand, Singaporean passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 195 destinations, making Singapore the world leader. Following closely, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are tied for second place, each allowing visa-free entry to 192 locations.

In September 2024, Denmark secured visa-free access to China, which moved it to third place alongside Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, all of which provide access to 191 destinations. Notably, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, and Norway are also on track to gain visa-free entry to China, enhancing their scores.

These developments in the top 10 are generally stable, as significant shifts are rare among the highest-ranking passports. “In the 11th to 20th ranking range, however, only 16 passports compete, making it a more dynamic group with each vying for a top ten position,” remarks Dominic Volek, Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, in an interview with Condé Nast Traveler. He notes that Malaysia, Argentina, and Hong Kong each moved up a point since July. “There’s a general trend toward increased openness, with more passports gaining access than losing it,” he added.

As for U.S. passport holders, they enjoy visa-free access to 186 countries, ranking in eighth place. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, currently in fourth place, experienced a minor dip as its visa-free score dropped from 191 to 190.

Mobility Trends for 2024: Insights and Implications

In the latest edition of the Henley Global Mobility Report, released in July 2024, Henley & Partners Chairman Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, who initially conceived the passport index, discussed global mobility trends. Dr. Kaelin noted a steady rise in travel freedom over the past two decades. “Since 2006, the global average of visa-free destinations has nearly doubled from 58 to 111 in 2024,” he shared. However, Dr. Kaelin pointed out a widening disparity: “The mobility gap between top and bottom-ranked nations is more pronounced than ever, with Singapore’s top rank granting access to 169 more visa-free destinations than Afghanistan, the lowest-ranked country.”

The process by which countries gain visa-free access is largely diplomatic. For instance, many recent agreements were negotiated at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in September 2024. “Visa policies are increasingly used as diplomatic levers to strengthen international relations,” explains Volek.

Here is a list of the most powerful passports in 2024, highlighting the global hierarchy of visa-free travel:

1. Singapore – 195 destinations
2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain– 192 destinations
3. Denmark, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden– 191 destinations
4. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom – 190 destinations
5. Australia, Portugal – 189 destinations
6. Greece, Poland – 188 destinations
7. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta – 187 destinations
8. United States – 186 destinations
9. Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates– 185 destinations
10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia – 184 destinations

Other countries of note in the rankings include Croatia and Malaysia, tied at 183 destinations, and Brunei with 166 destinations. India’s passport, with its 83rd rank and access to 58 visa-free countries, reflects the challenges Indian citizens face in terms of global mobility, although incremental improvements have been noted.