Powerful passports in 2024 : Which countries top the list ?

Which passports reign supreme in 2024 ?

For French nationals, there's cause for celebration! This year, France stands at the top of the ranking, tied with five other countries.

Let's delve into the specifics of the most powerful passports in the world.

How are the most powerful passports ranked ?

But how exactly are the most powerful passports determined? The authoritative ranking in this regard is the "Henley Passport Index" (January 2024 version accessible here). It's created by Henley & Partners, a London-based investment migration consultancy. The company provides services to individuals and advises governments on residency and citizenship programs.

The ranking of the most powerful passports is based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated annually.

Specific criteria are taken into account in the ranking. A "powerful" passport allows for easy travel to many countries around the world, either:

• Without requiring a visa

• With a visa on arrival

• With an electronic visa (such as the ESTA form for the United States)

Towards greater freedom of travel

Observing the ranking of the most powerful passports over the years demonstrates a growing freedom of travel. Christian H. Kaelin, President of Henley & Partners and creator of the ranking, stated that "the average number of destinations accessible without a visa has nearly doubled, from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024." This should delight globetrotters and global citizens alike.

The January 2024 ranking also marks increased mobility for Europeans. While in the past five years, the top of the ranking was dominated by Asian nations, particularly Japan and Singapore, four European states now join the privileged club in terms of freedom of travel. France, Spain, Italy, and Germany have joined the aforementioned two Asian nations.

Although not yet in the top 10, the United Arab Emirates has experienced a meteoric rise in the ranking, now standing at 11th place with 183 destinations.

Least powerful passports in 2024

At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan ranks 104th. The Afghan passport is the least powerful in 2024, allowing its holders to travel freely to only 28 countries. Syria, on the other hand, ranks 103rd with 29 destinations.

As expected, holders of less powerful passports face more procedures and costs when traveling. Obtaining a visa is often the only option for visiting other countries. However, concerning expatriation, which typically involves stays of more than 90 days, the situation balances out. All nationals, regardless of their passport power, must present valid passports and visas tailored to their plans (student visa, work visa, working holiday visa, etc.).

Here are some key points to remember for traveling with a less advantageous passport:

• Increased formalities: Holders of less advantageous passports typically need to complete more administrative procedures to obtain a visa, such as providing additional documents or attending an interview.

• Additional costs: Visa fees may be higher for nationals of certain countries.

• Expatriation: Visa requirements for expatriation are generally the same for all nationals, regardless of passport power.

• Visa types: The type of visa required depends on the expatriation project (studies, work, working holiday, etc.).

Christian H. Kaelin emphasizes that the gap in global mobility between holders of passports at the top and bottom of the ranking is wider than ever, despite the general trend toward greater freedom of travel.

The passport ranking reflects the global situation

This ranking is not insignificant. It reflects the global economic and political situation. The most powerful passports correspond to global economic powers. The top 10 ranking is indeed occupied by European countries and other economic powerhouses such as the United States and Japan.

The ranking of the most powerful passports also reflects the political situation in different countries. For example, Russia remains at 51st place (119 destinations) due to the war in Ukraine.

If this ranking reflects the state of the world, one wonders what it will be in the coming years. As 40 countries producing more than 50% of the world's GDP prepare for decisive elections in 2024, uncertainty reigns in the world. According to Miasha Glenny, Rector of the Institute of Humanities in Vienna, upcoming political and economic disruptions will influence the decline of American and European influence, in favor of major Asian powers.

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