GENERAL NEWS
Singapore has world’s most powerful passport; US drops to 8th
Singapore has reclaimed its bragging rights as having the world’s most powerful passport.
The latest ranking published by London-based immigration consultancy firm, Henley & Partners, showed Singapore at the top, ahead of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
This development for travelers means that having a Singapore passport will provide visa-free entry to a record 195 global destinations.
A year ago, four European countries – France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – held the top spot but have now moved into the second position along with Japan.
Additionally, the Henley Passport Index saw seven countries taking the third spot for the first time.
They are Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, whose passport holders can gain visa-free entry into 191 destinations across the world.
Meanwhile, the United States, which previously was ranked as a passport powerhouse, dropped to the eighth position, extending its decade-long slide down the passport index.
The United Kingdom, however, was ranked in fourth place on the index.
The world’s weakest passport was Afghanistan’s, which only allows visa-free entry to 26 destinations.
Chief Executive Officer of Henley & Partners, Juerg Steffen, emphasized the importance of a visa-free regime, which he believes provides a significant boost to the travel and tourism industry.
“The ability to travel visa-free to a wide array of destinations is no longer merely a convenience. It’s a powerful economic tool that can drive growth, foster international cooperation, and attract foreign investment,” Juerg Steffen said.
See the rankings below:
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
