Asian countries dominate some of the world's most powerful passports

Asian countries have firmly established their lead on the Henley Passport Index, the original ranking of all the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. 

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For the third consecutive year, Japan has secured the top spot on the index — which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) — with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 191. Singapore holds onto its second-place position with a score of 190, while South Korea drops down a rank to third place alongside Germany, with access to 189 destinations.

Declining ranks

The U.S. and the U.K. continue their downward trajectory. 

While both countries remain in the top 10, their shared eighth-place position is a significant decline from the number one spot they jointly held in 2015. 

Elsewhere in the top 10, Finland and Italy share fourth place, with a score of 188, while Denmark, Luxembourg, and Spain together hold fifth place, with a score of 187. The index's historic success story remains the UAE, which has climbed a remarkable 47 places over the past 10 years and now sits in 18^th place, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 171. 

Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index, with access to only 26 destinations worldwide.

For access to the full report, click here.

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