International travel throughout the world is now at 75% of its pre-pandemic levels. Maybe this isn’t the most efficient thing to be doing when there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases globally. Be that as it may, it is clear that people are making use of their passports and are travelling, and perhaps, without the caution that they should be exercising.
The London-based investment consultancy firm Henley & Partners annually releases its famous index called the Henley Passport Index or HPI. Each year, it ranks all the countries in the world based on the number of countries their passport holders can access without a prior visa. It released its Index for 2023 some days ago. Japan consistently has the most powerful passport in the world. It has ranked first on the index for the fifth time in a row. Japanese passport holders can access 193 destinations without a prior visa. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is the weakest passport in the world with access to only 27 destinations. Following are the top 10 most powerful passports in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.
10 Most Powerful Passports In The World According To The 2023 Henley Passport Index
- Japan (193 destinations)
- Singapore, South Korea (192 destinations)
- Germany and Spain (190 destinations)
- Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg (189 destinations)
- Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden (188 destinations)
- France, Ireland, Portugal, and United Kingdom (187 destinations)
- Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United States, and the Czech Republic (186 destinations)
- Australia, Canada, Greece, and Malta (185 destinations)
- Hungary and Poland (184 destinations)
- Lithuania and Slovakia (183 destinations)
Also Read: 20 Countries Where Indians Can Get Visa On Arrival. Bookmark These!
India Ranks 85th On The Index
According to the Henley Passport Index, India ranks 85th on the list. That may be pretty low but its ranking has improved by two positions since last year. Last year, India ranked 87th on the Henley Passport Index. This year, with no prior visa requirement for 59 countries, India has tied places with Mauritania and Uzbekistan.
10 Weakest Passports In The World According To The 2023 Henley Passport Index
- Sudan, Sri Lanka, Congo, and Lebanon (42 destinations)
- Libya, Kosovo, and Bangladesh (41 destinations)
- North Korea (40 destinations)
- Nepal and Palestinian territory (38 destinations)
- Somalia (35 destinations)
- Yemen (34 destinations)
- Pakistan (32 destinations)
- Syria (30 destinations)
- Iraq (29 destinations)
- Afghanistan (27 destinations)
Also Read: You Can Travel To Over 30 Countries Visa-Free With Your Indian Passport; Here’s How
To view the full ranking, click here.
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons