A new study has ranked which country has the strongest passport, and it’s no longer Singapore.
According to the Henley Passport Index study, Japan boasts the world’s strongest passport for 2018, knocking Singapore’s previous ranking down to the number 2 spot.
The Henley Passport Index provides travelers with an in-depth analysis of which countries travelers can access with which type of visa, how your passport has changed over the last 13 years, and how your passport compares to other passports.
As reported in Channel News Asia, Japan passport holders can travel to 190 destinations either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access now that Myanmar was added earlier this month.
With access to 188 destinations, Germany, France and South Korea are tied for third. And with access to 187 destinations, Denmark, Italy, Finland, Sweden and Spain come ranked as the fourth most powerful passport, according to the index.
The United States ties with Norway, the United Kingdom, Austria, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Portugal at fifth.
“The US and the UK, both with 186 destinations, have also slid down one spot – from 4 to 5 place – with neither having gained access to any new jurisdictions since the start of 2018,” according to Henley Passport Index officials. “With stagnant outbound visa activity compared to Asian high-performers such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, it seems increasingly unlikely that the US and the UK will regain the number 1 spot they jointly held in 2015.”
One of the most significant changes in rankings comes from the United Arab Emirates, according to the index. Over the years, the UAE has ascended from 62nd place in 2006 to 21st place worldwide currently. The UAE now holds the number 1 passport in the Middle East region.
The UAE’s recent visa-waiver with Russia earlier this year has led to their increase in rankings.
“This latest agreement with Russia will help the UAE lower its dependence on its hydrocarbon sector and continue its robust economic growth trajectory by stimulating tourism and trade,” Ryan Cummings, director of Signal Risk stated.