The Henley Passport Index ranks all of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains a worldwide database of travel information. Henley data covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations and is updated as visa policy changes occur.
As of January 2021, these countries occupy the top 10 positions, including ties, on the list.
1. Japan (191 destinations)
2. Singapore (190)
3. South Korea, Germany (189)
4. Italy, Finland, Spain, Luxembourg (188)
5. Denmark, Austria (187)
6. Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland (186)
7. Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, New Zealand (185)
8. Greece, Malta, Czech Republic, Australia (184)
9. Canada (183)
10. Hungary (181)
The complete list of all 199 countries is here.
If you want to improve your ability to travel visa free, many countries allow foreigners to “purchase” permanent residency and ultimately citizenship usually through making an investment in the local economy. Over 100 countries in the world have some form of investment residency/citizenship legislation in place. The Henley Index website lists these countries and the “cost” they charge. For example, the United States grants permanent residency and eventually citizenship for a minimum investment of $900,000. Most countries do not prohibit having more than one citizenship. However, obtaining citizenship in more than one country is often an expensive, cumbersome, and time consuming process.
Of course for 2021 and perhaps longer, most countries have established additional entry requirements beyond a passport and visa because of the Covid pandemic.
Some countries aren’t allowing foreign visitors under any or only very limited circumstances. Countries often apply the same or modified requirements to their own citizens. The current Covid travel restrictions for each country are here.
Final Thoughts
I generally try to avoid countries that require a visa other than a visa on arrival or an electronic visa. I have never visited Brazil because it had a visa requirement for U.S. citizens. Is there any country or countries that you have not visited because of a visa requirement?
Great post john I’m surprised to see that Australia rates so highly we have strict entry requirements and as a result we seem to need visas for a lot of places. However that has changed over the last few years and its less than it used to be.
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Surprising Australia requires them for Americans. I even had to get one even though I didn’t enter Australia. My layover at SYD was 8 hr 10 min. The limit for layovers without visa is 8 hr!
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I checked out some of those prices; I don’t think I’ll be purchasing residency n any of the countries listed on the first page…
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I’ve wanted to travel to a state within a country that requires a visa. Jammu and Kashmir state in India. I wanted to go on retreat there but the security restrictions and approval process are so tough. Long-going conflict between India and Pakistan is the cause.
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Thanks for the info. I knew of the occasional fighting in Kashmir but didn’t realize those states required a separate visa! That is a bit like the special travel permit I had to get to visit Tibet even though it is part of China according to China anyway. Upon entering Tibet and traveling around inside everyone must show passports and permits at checkpoints to verify authorization and track movements.
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Really interesting and educational stuff. I had not heard of The Henley Index.
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It is interesting to see how things have changed over the years. About 10 years ago the US was #1. The UAE has dramatically improved its ranking in recent years.
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North Korea requires a Visa and China..however TWOV worked on our last trip to China.
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The TWOV can come be very handy under the right circumstances.
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Yes it worked for us..I learned we must continue on a direct flight to another country and not return back to China.
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That’s right. And the TWOV limits where you can go in China to the province of arrival or the immediate area. Getting a 10-year China visa eliminates all the hassle for 10 years. Whatever works best.
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That is the best way to get a 10 year Visa.
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Do you mean what is the best way to get a 10 year visa? You can go to the Chinese Embassy website and follow the steps indicated or even easier maybe contacting a visa application service that for a fee will handle the process quickly and ensure the proper documents are submitted.
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Meant say ..the the best way to Travel with a 10 Visa.lol
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Ha ha! I wasn’t sure. Traveling with a 10 yr visa is easy. They just put it in your passport like other visa and if your passport expires or is renewed they can transfer the old visa. No need to apply for a new one. If that’s what you mean.
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Fascinating data on Passports, and original too. Thanks for sharing this.
John
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I’m glad the post was helpful. 😊
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