Singapore Holds World’s Most Powerful Passport with Visa-Free Access to 195 Countries

November 07, 2024
Marina Bay, Singapore. © Daily Dazzling Dawn
  • The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners using IATA data, is updated quarterly, providing a trusted snapshot of global mobility trends.

Singapore has reclaimed the world’s top passport ranking, granting its citizens unmatched travel freedom, as per the October report by global advisory firm Henley & Partners.

With visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 out of 227 destinations, the Singapore passport is affirmed as the world’s most powerful travel document.

Singapore, with visa-free access to 195 destinations, ranks as a leader in global mobility, enabling its citizens extensive travel freedom worldwide. This top ranking underscores Singapore’s commitment to strengthening international relations and easing travel restrictions.

The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners using IATA data, is updated quarterly, providing a trusted snapshot of global mobility trends.

Japan, European Countries Share Second Place

Trailing Singapore, passports from Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain rank second, providing access to 192 destinations—a testament to Singapore’s edge in securing global travel access for its citizens.

European passport strength has also risen recently, with Denmark now offering visa-free entry to China as of September. Denmark, alongside Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, holds third place with visa-free access to 191 destinations.

The UK Rises in Global Mobility Rankings

The British passport, now ranked fourth, offers visa-free entry to 190 countries. This places the United Kingdom alongside Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, all enjoying expanded travel freedom.

This upward movement reflects an ongoing trend toward global openness, with more countries establishing mutual visa-free arrangements.

Southeast Asia’s Passport Power

Malaysia Ranks Second in the Region: In Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s passport stands as the second most powerful after Singapore’s, securing access to 183 destinations visa-free. This advancement has further cemented Malaysia’s regional influence, benefiting its citizens with expanded international mobility.

List of Visa-Free Countries for Singapore Passport Holders

Singapore passport holders can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the following regions and countries worldwide:

Asia

Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and more.

Europe

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Americas

Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and more.

Oceania

Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Africa

Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

A Global Mobility Benchmark

As a leading reference for passport strength, the Henley Passport Index is updated quarterly and draws on comprehensive data from the IATA. Governments, investors, and travellers alike consider the index a valuable tool for assessing international travel freedom.
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With Singapore securing the top spot, the Henley Passport Index reinforces the importance of passport power in global mobility, offering insight into the ease with which citizens can travel and explore worldwide. This dominance signifies Singapore’s role as a global leader in open-border policies, giving its citizens extensive access to the world’s destinations.