The world’s most valid passport

 

The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest, most accurate travel information database – and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team.

With historical data spanning 18 years, the Henley Passport Index is the only one of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. Updated quarterly, the Henley Passport Index is considered the standard reference tool for global citizens and sovereign states when assessing where a passport ranks on the global mobility spectrum.

The three most powerful passports in the world are all Asian, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index. It ranks all of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance.

Japan has the world’s most powerful passport for the 5th year in a row. Holders can visit 193 out of 227 global destinations visa-free.

South Korea and Singapore are tied in 2nd place on the index, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192. Germany and Spain are joint 3rd, with visa-free access to 190 destinations.

The UK and the US remain in 6th and 7th places, with scores of 187 and 186. They jointly held the top slot in 2014, but the Henley rankings say it appears unlikely that either will ever reach 1st place again. The UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016.

 

Passport to economic opportunity

The Henley Passport Index is put together by immigration consultancy firm Henley & Partners. It has also combined its passport index data with World Bank GDP figures to create the Henley Passport Power score, which indicates “the percentage of global GDP each passport provides to its holders’ visa-free”.

This can be a valuable tool for business travellers, investors and anyone planning to emigrate. But it also sheds light on “the ever-widening economic inequality and wealth disparity that has come to define our world”, says Henley & Partners Chairman Dr Christian Kaelin. He invented the passport index nearly 20 years ago, based on data from the International Air Transport Association.

Nigerian passport holders, for example, can access only 46 destinations visa-free (20% of the world), with these countries accounting for just 1.5% of global GDP. The lowest-ranking entry in the Henley Passport Power score is the Afghan passport, which provides visa-free access to only 27 countries and less than 1% of global economic output.

That is 166 fewer visa-free destinations than Japan – the widest mobility gap in the index’s 18-year history. This means that citizens of the index’s lowest-ranking countries – including Iraq (visa-free score of 29) and Syria (visa-free score of 30) – are being shut out of many opportunities for economic mobility and growth, the report says.

 

The most powerful passports in the world in 2023

1. Japan (193 destinations)
2. Singapore, South Korea (192 destinations)
3. Germany, Spain (190 destinations)
4. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg (189 destinations)
5. Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden (188 destinations)
6. France, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom (187 destinations)
7. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United States, Czech Republic (186 destinations)
8. Australia, Canada, Greece, Malta (185 destinations)
9. Hungary, Poland (184 destinations)
10. Lithuania, Slovakia (183 destinations)

 

Ukrainian and Russian passports

The Ukraine war is yet to have a significant impact on the Henley Passport Index scores of Russia and Ukraine.

Both countries have held roughly the same position “on paper” since the invasion began in February 2022. Russia is ranked 49th with a score of 118, while Ukraine ranks 36th with visa-free access to 144 countries.

However, airspace closures and sanctions mean Russian citizens are essentially barred from travelling in much of the developed world.

Ukrainians, on the other hand, have been granted the right to live and work in the EU for up to three years as part of an emergency response to the war.

Ukraine has been one of the biggest climbers on the Henley Passport Index in the past decade, having moved up 24 places. And it would probably enter the top 10 if the country joins the EU, the report says.

United Kingdom Passport

The British passport is currently ranked 5th place on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index. It provides visa-free access to 189 countries. This makes it one of the most desirable passports in the world with a very high mobility score. British passport holders have visa-free and visas on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, Peru, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. British passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 40 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are Russia, China, Cuba and Iran.

 

The benefits of British citizenship

If you decide to acquire British citizenship, you will be entitled to the same rights as all other UK citizens such as:

• The right to live, work and study in the UK indefinitely – As a British citizen, you will not be subject to any immigration restrictions and therefore can live in the UK free from immigration restrictions.
• A right to a British passport – As a British citizen, you will be free to enjoy one of the most powerful passports in the world. The British passport will not only allow you hassle-free entry into the UK on your return but you can also use it to visit many different countries around the world visa-free.
• The right to vote in elections – In addition to voting in referendums, national and local elections, British citizens also have the right to run for public office if they choose to do so.
• A right to free healthcare – All British citizens enjoy access to free healthcare through the UK’s national health service (NHS).
• A right to claim public funds – All British citizens have access to a variety of benefits provided by the UK government.
• The ability to pass your British citizenship off to your children-your children will be British citizens if they are born in the UK with a parent who has Indefinite Leave to Remain, Settled Status, or permanent residence. However, if they are born outside of the UK, they can only receive British citizenship if they are the child of a British citizen.

 

Who is eligible for British Citizenship?

There are a number of ways to gain British Citizenship if you are an American. Amongst the most common ways to become a British citizen include the following:

• British citizenship by naturalization
• If you have lawfully lived in the UK for at least six years with at least one year under Indefinite Leave to Remain status, then you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship.
• British citizenship by birth or by decent
• You may automatically have British citizenship by birth if you were born in the UK after January 1st, 1983. In addition, you could also be eligible for British citizenship if one of your parentsor grandparents was a British citizen when you were born.
• British citizenship by marriage (technically a form of naturalization)
• Spouses and civil partners of British citizens may be able to apply for British citizenship by marriage. In order to be eligible for this, you must have spent at least 3 years living in the UK. You may apply for UK citizenship once you have a permanent residence document, such as Indefinite Leave to Remainor Indefinite leave to enter the UK.

 

Regaining British Nationality after renouncing it

British citizens who renounced their citizenship in the past may be able to reclaim their UK citizenship.

 

What are the requirements for British citizenship?

According to the British Nationality Act 1981, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for UK citizenship:

• You must be 18 years old or over
• You are of sound mind (that is of full mental capacity)
• You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a British citizen or settled person)
• You must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain for at least twelve months
• You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during your qualifying residency period
• You must pass the Life in the UK test
• You must be able to demonstrate that you have met the ‘good character’ requirement
• You must not have breached any immigration conditions during your UK residency
• You must proficiently read, write and speak English
• You must have serious intentions of living permanently in the UK

 

Does the UK permit dual citizenship?

Both the U.S. and the U.K. allow for dual citizenship. Therefore, if you gain British citizenship there is no need to give up your foreign citizenship. With dual nationality comes the freedom to travel, live and work freely in both countries as legal citizens.

 

Canada Passport

The Canadian passport is currently ranked 6th place on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index. It provides visa-free access to 188 countries. With a high mobility score it is one of the most desirable passports in the world. Canadian passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, the United States and the entire European Union. This allows almost instant travel opportunities worldwide. Canadian passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 41 destinations in the world. Some countries where a visa is required are China, India, Russia and Turkey.

 

The Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

• Politics

Citizens can vote in federal, provincial and municipal elections, run for office and become involved in political activities, meaning they have a say in who runs the various levels of government that exist in Canada. That could be town, city, school board, province, territory, or country.

Citizens can run as independent candidates, or by joining one of the established parties.

• Dual citizenship

Canada does not make you choose between being a Canadian citizen and being a citizen of your home country. Depending on your home country, you may or may not have to make that choice.

• Right to do all jobs

Some jobs require high-level security clearance, which only citizens can have. This includes some jobs at the federal level. These jobs tend to pay well and have many benefits.

• Passport

Canadian citizens get a passport, which is easier to renew and must be renewed less often than a permanent resident card.

The passport allows you to travel to many countries without the need for a visa and makes it easier to get a visa where one is required. It should be noted this is for travel and does not give you the right to work.

• Having a passport makes you less likely to encounter problems returning to Canada from abroad.

You can also rely on the support of Canadian consulates and embassies, provided you travel using the Canadian passport, should you get into trouble while abroad.

• Your children

As a citizen, if your children are born in Canada, they automatically become Canadian citizens. They will not have to go through any application process. Some children born outside Canada are also citizens at birth, if at least one parent was born or naturalized in Canada.

• Tax

Canadian tax laws work on residency rather than citizenship. You can be a citizen but not live in Canada, and therefore not have to pay Canadian taxes. If you are a citizen who does live in Canada, you are required to pay Canadian taxes on worldwide income and you must pay taxes at federal, provincial and municipal levels.