JAKARTA - Asian countries topped the list of the strongest passports in the world by 2023, with Japan at the top followed by South Korea and Singapore, according to Henley Passport Index 2023.
Recent reports, which include world passports according to the number of goals that holders can access without requiring previous visas, come as global travel reaches 75 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The industry described the post-pandemic surge in tourism as a "revenge journey".
Japan has held the number one position for five consecutive years, with 193 visa/visa-on-arrival free scores. Followed by South Korea and Singapore which share a second place with 192. Germany and Spain jointly occupy third place with 190, reported The National News January 10.
Britain and the US remain sixth and seventh, with scores of 187 and 186, respectively, which the second index said was "a long way to regain the top position". The two countries took first place in 2014.
While the three positions at the bottom of this passport list, were continuously occupied by Syria (30 destinations), Iran (29) and Afghanistan (27). It is known that Henley and Partners used exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to compile the index.
If no visa is required, the country gets 1 point for its passport. This applies if citizens can obtain an on-arrival visa, visitor's permission or electronic travel authority (ETA) upon entering their destination, citing Euronews.
Meanwhile, if a visa is required or a passport holder must obtain an e-visa approved by the government before departure, the passport receives a score of 0.
The latest index highlights the relationship between passport strength and economic power, arguing that passport holders of high-ranked countries have greater access to global economic opportunities.
Japanese passport holders, for example, have visa-free access to 98 percent of the global economy. On the other hand, Afghan passport holders have less than 1 percent.
"For global citizens and international businessmen, the better measure of economic mobility and opportunities provided by their passports is an indication of how much part of the world's GDP is accessible to them without visas," said Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley and Partners.
The study revealed that only 6 percent of passports worldwide provide visa-free access to their holders to more than 70 percent of the global economy.
Global investment author and expert Jeff Opdyke said passports were "the gateway to fiscal opportunities".
Furthermore, the report selected the UAE (United Arab Emirates) as a "big success story" for its rapid progress in the index, up 49 places over the past 10 years.
"International travel has surged to record levels, dozens of countries have launched nomad visas or gold visa schemes," said Parag Sang, a member of the consulting firm's advisory board.
"Relocations are soaring to take advantage of remote job opportunities, settling in friendly tax regimes or adapting to the impacts of climate change in the property market," he continued.
Analysts also highlight progress in Kuwait and Qatar's ratings in this year's index, with a potential visa-free deal with the European Union being worked on.
Once approved, the proposal will provide visa-free access for passport holders of the two countries to 27 EU member countries. Qatar is currently ranked 55 with a score of 100, and Kuwait is ranked 57th with a score of 97.
Meanwhile, both Ukraine and Russia have maintained their position in the index since the invasion began, respectively in 36th and 49th place. However, the closure and sanctions of airspace have affected the mobility of Russian citizens who are prohibited from traveling to many high-income countries.
On the other hand, the EU (EU) emergency plan has increased the mobility of Ukrainian citizens, who have been granted the right to stay and work in the EU for up to three years. The Eastern European country rose 24 places in the passport index over the past decade. If it joins the EU, its passport will be included in the world's top 10 strongest.
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