Passport index

What is passport index?

Passport Index can be defined as a tool that ranks global passports based on specific methodology and criteria for measuring the strength of each passport and the extent of global mobility it provides to its holders. The global mobility of each passport is determined by the total number of destinations that allow visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorization (eTA) for individuals carrying the respective passport. In Passport Indices, each passport receives a specific numerical score, determining the position it will hold in the classification of this index. There are various passport indices, each following its own methodology and approach, some taking into account other factors besides global mobility, such as economic and political factors, which add complexity to the process and take it somewhat beyond its core framework, given that the fundamental function of a passport primarily lies in serving as a travel document.

Importance of passport index

There are many advantages and uses of passport indices, both for ordinary individuals, especially travelers, and for travel agencies, media, or governments. Some of the key benefits of Passport Index include:

Assessing passport strength

Passport Index provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of passport strength in terms of the extent of global mobility it grants to its holders. This assessment helps individuals understand the strength of their passport and the number of destinations they can enter without the need for prior visa applications, serving as a reference for them to make informed decisions about whether they need to expand their international travel freedom by seeking another citizenship or residence in another country, for example, through citizenship by investment programs and golden visa programs.

Comparing passports

Guide Passport Index can be used to easily compare different passports from various countries in terms of their strength and the extent of travel freedom they provide to their holders. These comparisons can be useful in various scenarios, such as research purposes or selecting citizenship by investment programs to obtain a stronger second passport to expand international travel freedom.

Effective travel planning

Travel enthusiasts can use passport indices to identify destinations they can visit without requiring a prior visa when planning their leisure trips. Based on this information, they can plan leisure or business trips efficiently, avoiding complex visa procedures, and even combining multiple destinations during the same trip. The index also allows them to easily find visa-free destinations suitable for medical treatments, short-term educational courses, or conducting business activities.

Strategic policy planning

Governments can use passport index 2024 data for strategic planning and diplomatic initiatives to enhance travel opportunities for their citizens and negotiate visa agreements with other countries. Guide Passport Index sheds light on visa policies of various countries according to the latest updates, helping governments stay informed about changes in visa requirements and entry conditions for other nations. This valuable dataset also empowers countries to position themselves as alluring travel destinations and identify their counterparts in the competitive tourism sector.

Guide Passport Index

The most prominent model of passport indices is Guide Passport Index, utilized by visaindex.com, which employs a straightforward and transparent methodology that ensures accessibility for the average user, facilitating a clear assessment of passport strength and the extent of travel freedom it offers. It further grants users access to an extensive repository of passport-related information, allowing for detailed comparisons between different passports, thus offering invaluable functionalities to both experts and general users. Guide Passport Index maintains real-time data on visa policies sourced from dependable official channels, including government websites and information from reputable international organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), solidifying its position as the most precise and current index available.

Guide Passport Index methodology

Guide Passport Index exclusively employs a methodology that focuses solely on evaluating travel freedom and international mobility, without taking into account any economic or political considerations of the countries issuing the passports. It also disregards any considerations related to the perceived importance of certain destinations for some travelers compared to others. The index maintains complete neutrality in its assessment of all countries and territories worldwide when considering them as travel destinations. This methodology is the most precise, objective, and provides clear, direct numerical data for evaluating the strength of each passport and the extent of international freedom of movement it grants to its holders.

Sources of information

Guide Passport Index draws information from a wide range of official and dependable sources. Its primary reliance is on data supplied by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This data is cross-verified and supplemented with trustworthy information gathered from pertinent government websites, such as foreign affairs ministries, government tourism agencies, and diplomatic missions like embassies and consulates across the globe. Additionally, it obtains information from major international airlines and other official, competent sources in the field of visa policies. This meticulous approach ensures the data's accuracy and reliability to a reasonable extent. Guide Passports Index abstains from depending on unofficial, unverified sources, including news outlets or private websites, regardless of their trustworthiness or popularity. It also refrains from considering visa exemption agreements between countries unless it is confirmed that these agreements are effectively enforced.

Despite the meticulous efforts of the experts responsible for gathering and categorizing the data used in Guide Passport Index, sourced from official and dependable channels and consistently updated, it should not be construed that the information presented in the index serves as legal counsel or a replacement for consulting the appropriate official bodies and legal professionals. Therefore, it is always advisable to cross-verify with travel agencies, diplomatic missions, or qualified legal experts capable of offering tailored advice based on your unique situation before making any travel-related decisions or arrangements, as visa policies can undergo sudden changes.

How Guide Passport Index works

The methodology employed by Guide Passport Index can be summarized in the following general steps:

  • Categorization of passports from all countries and territories that issue their own passports (totaling 199 passports) based on the number of travel destinations they permit access to without the need for advance visas, out of the worldwide pool of 229 destinations, primarily for purposes such as tourism and business.
  • Study and analysis of visa requirements for holders of each passport when attempting to travel to any of the 229 available destinations worldwide.
  • Based on the available information regarding visa policies and requirements for each travel destination, destinations linked to each passport are classified into five primary groups:
    • Visa-free access: Encompassing destinations accessible without the necessity of a visa.
    • Visa on arrival: Covering destinations where a visa can be obtained upon arrival at the airport or border crossing point.
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Pertaining to destinations where passport holders are eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
    • Visa Online: Designating destinations that mandate online e-Visa application before travel.
    • Visa Required: Signifying destinations that demand the traditional visa application process through embassies, consulates, or visa application centers (VACs), often requiring a visa sticker affixed to the passport.
  • Each passport receives one point for each destination in the first three groups (Visa-Free access, Visa on arrival, and Electronic Travel Authorization). These points are then accumulated, and the sum of these points represents the passport's “numerical value.” This numerical value, or score, reflects the degree of international travel freedom and corresponds to the total number of destinations to which holders of the passport can travel without needing a prior visa.
  • All passports are ranked based on this numerical value in descending order, with the top-ranking passport (the strongest passport in the world) being the one with the highest score, allowing its holders to travel to more visa-free destinations than any other passport.
  • Multiple passports may share the same rank on the index if they have an equal score, indicating an equal total number of visa-free travel destinations for their holders.

Important considerations

There are some fundamental considerations that should not be overlooked when using the information provided by Guide Passport Index. These considerations include:

Passport types

The term "passports" primarily refers to regular passports, as visa requirements and policies can vary depending on the passport type.

Equal consideration

All travel destinations from countries and territories are considered equally, even if they do not have independent visa policies.

Visa policy

Visa policies refer to the visa requirements for traveling to the intended destination for short-term visits, primarily for tourism purposes.

Standard compliance

Travelers are assumed to meet the requirements related to the minimum required validity of the passport and any other essential requirements, such as hotel reservations or return tickets.

Exclusions

A travel destination is not considered visa-free if it imposes additional specific requirements on travelers, such as holding visas or residence permits issued by other countries, providing invitation letters, or traveling as part of tourist groups.

Passport allocation

The number of passport rankings available is typically much less than the total number of passports included in the index (199 passports). This is because several passports may share the same rank in the ranking list.

How to use Guide Passport Index

Guide Passport Index includes several user-friendly tools and features that provide a variety of valuable information related to passports and visa policies for various destinations. These tools are characterized by their ease of access and use. Here is a simplified explanation of how to use the Passports Index to easily access some of this data:

Check passport rank

You can easily check the rank or strength of any passport by clicking on the name or flag of the issuing country of that passport or by typing the country name in the search box. The information provided includes the rank of each passport (its position among all international passports) and detailed lists of visa-free travel destinations available to the passport holders.

Discover visa-free destinations

To discover visa-free travel destinations for any passport, enter the passport's issuing country's name or click on its flag. The resulted page includes lists of all travel destinations and their classifications, whether they allow visa-free access, offer visas on arrival, provide electronic travel authorizations (etA), require e-visas, or demand traditional visas.

Compare passports

The Passports Index can also be used to compare different passports easily regarding their strength, ranking, and the number and details of visa-free travel destinations each one allows access to. This can be done by clicking on the "Compare" icon on the passport's page and selecting another passport for comparison. Up to three passports can be added for comparison.

Passport ranking 2024

Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
Rank: 1
South Korea
South Korea
South Korea
Rank: 2
Spain
Spain
Spain
Rank: 2
Japan
Japan
Japan
Rank: 2
Norway
Norway
Norway
Rank: 3
Italy
Italy
Italy
Rank: 3
Germany
Germany
Germany
Rank: 3
France
France
France
Rank: 3
Finland
Finland
Finland
Rank: 3
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Rank: 4
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Rank: 4
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Rank: 4
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Rank: 4
Denmark
Denmark
Denmark
Rank: 4
Austria
Austria
Austria
Rank: 4
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Rank: 5
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Rank: 5
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
Rank: 5
Ireland
Ireland
Ireland
Rank: 5
Belgium
Belgium
Belgium
Rank: 5
Greece
Greece
Greece
Rank: 6
Canada
Canada
Canada
Rank: 6
Australia
Australia
Australia
Rank: 6
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
Rank: 7
Malta
Malta
Malta
Rank: 7
Hungary
Hungary
Hungary
Rank: 8
Poland
Poland
Poland
Rank: 9
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Rank: 9
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
Rank: 10
Iceland
Iceland
Iceland
Rank: 10
Estonia
Estonia
Estonia
Rank: 10
Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia
Rank: 11
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Rank: 11
Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania
Rank: 11
Latvia
Latvia
Latvia
Rank: 11
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
Rank: 12
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
Rank: 13
Croatia
Croatia
Croatia
Rank: 14
Monaco
Monaco
Monaco
Rank: 15
Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus
Rank: 16
Romania
Romania
Romania
Rank: 17
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Rank: 17
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Rank: 17
Chile
Chile
Chile
Rank: 18
Andorra
Andorra
Andorra
Rank: 19
San Marino
San Marino
San Marino
Rank: 20
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Rank: 21
Argentina
Argentina
Argentina
Rank: 21
Israel
Israel
Israel
Rank: 22
Brunei
Brunei
Brunei
Rank: 23
Barbados
Barbados
Barbados
Rank: 24
Bahamas
Bahamas
Bahamas
Rank: 25
Mexico
Mexico
Mexico
Rank: 26
Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay
Rank: 27
Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles
Rank: 27
Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City
Rank: 28
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Rank: 28
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Rank: 29
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Rank: 29
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Rank: 30
Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius
Rank: 30
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Rank: 30
Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine
Rank: 31
Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay
Rank: 31
Panama
Panama
Panama
Rank: 32
Macao
Macao
Macao
Rank: 32
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Rank: 33
Grenada
Grenada
Grenada
Rank: 34
Peru
Peru
Peru
Rank: 35
Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan
Rank: 36
Dominica
Dominica
Dominica
Rank: 36
Serbia
Serbia
Serbia
Rank: 37
El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador
Rank: 38
Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala
Rank: 39
Honduras
Honduras
Honduras
Rank: 40
Colombia
Colombia
Colombia
Rank: 40
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Rank: 41
Samoa
Samoa
Samoa
Rank: 42
North Macedonia
North Macedonia
North Macedonia
Rank: 43
Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro
Rank: 44
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Rank: 45
Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Rank: 46
Tonga
Tonga
Tonga
Rank: 47
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Rank: 47
Georgia
Georgia
Georgia
Rank: 48
Palau
Palau
Palau
Rank: 49
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rank: 49
Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela
Rank: 50
Moldova
Moldova
Moldova
Rank: 50
Kiribati
Kiribati
Kiribati
Rank: 50
Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia
Rank: 51
Albania
Albania
Albania
Rank: 52
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
Rank: 53
Russia
Russia
Russia
Rank: 53
Qatar
Qatar
Qatar
Rank: 54
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
Rank: 55
Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste
Rank: 56
Kuwait
Kuwait
Kuwait
Rank: 56
Belize
Belize
Belize
Rank: 56
Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador
Rank: 57
Maldives
Maldives
Maldives
Rank: 58
Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Rank: 59
Fiji
Fiji
Fiji
Rank: 60
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
Rank: 61
Nauru
Nauru
Nauru
Rank: 61
Guyana
Guyana
Guyana
Rank: 61
Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica
Rank: 62
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain
Rank: 62
Oman
Oman
Oman
Rank: 63
Botswana
Botswana
Botswana
Rank: 63
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Rank: 64
Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
Rank: 64
Thailand
Thailand
Thailand
Rank: 65
China
China
China
Rank: 66
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Rank: 67
Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Rank: 67
Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia
Rank: 67
Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo
Rank: 68
Suriname
Suriname
Suriname
Rank: 69
Namibia
Namibia
Namibia
Rank: 69
Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho
Rank: 70
Eswatini
Eswatini
Eswatini
Rank: 71
Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania
Rank: 72
Malawi
Malawi
Malawi
Rank: 72
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Rank: 72
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Rank: 73
Morocco
Morocco
Morocco
Rank: 74
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Rank: 74
Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia
Rank: 75
Armenia
Armenia
Armenia
Rank: 75
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Rank: 76
Gambia
Gambia
Gambia
Rank: 76
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Rank: 77
Cape Verde
Cape Verde
Cape Verde
Rank: 78
Uganda
Uganda
Uganda
Rank: 78
Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia
Rank: 78
Philippines
Philippines
Philippines
Rank: 79
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Rank: 80
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Rank: 80
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Rank: 80
Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe
Rank: 81
Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda
Rank: 81
Benin
Benin
Benin
Rank: 81
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Rank: 82
Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique
Rank: 83
Madagascar
Madagascar
Madagascar
Rank: 83
Cuba
Cuba
Cuba
Rank: 83
Gabon
Gabon
Gabon
Rank: 84
Togo
Togo
Togo
Rank: 85
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Rank: 85
Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Rank: 86
Mauritania
Mauritania
Mauritania
Rank: 86
India
India
India
Rank: 87
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Rank: 88
Niger
Niger
Niger
Rank: 88
Guinea
Guinea
Guinea
Rank: 88
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Rank: 88
Senegal
Senegal
Senegal
Rank: 89
Mali
Mali
Mali
Rank: 89
Comoros
Comoros
Comoros
Rank: 90
Chad
Chad
Chad
Rank: 90
Algeria
Algeria
Algeria
Rank: 90
Central African Republic
Central African Republic
Central African Republic
Rank: 91
Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia
Rank: 91
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
Rank: 92
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt
Rank: 92
Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan
Rank: 92
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam
Rank: 93
Jordan
Jordan
Jordan
Rank: 93
Angola
Angola
Angola
Rank: 93
Congo
Congo
Congo
Rank: 94
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Rank: 95
Haiti
Haiti
Haiti
Rank: 95
Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon
Rank: 95
Burundi
Burundi
Burundi
Rank: 95
Liberia
Liberia
Liberia
Rank: 96
Laos
Laos
Laos
Rank: 96
Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti
Rank: 96
Congo (Dem. Rep.)
Congo (Dem. Rep.)
Congo (Dem. Rep.)
Rank: 97
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria
Rank: 97
Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon
Rank: 97
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Rank: 98
Iran
Iran
Iran
Rank: 98
Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Rank: 98
Myanmar
Myanmar
Myanmar
Rank: 99
South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan
Rank: 99
Sudan
Sudan
Sudan
Rank: 100
North Korea
North Korea
North Korea
Rank: 101
Libya
Libya
Libya
Rank: 101
Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea
Rank: 101
Nepal
Nepal
Nepal
Rank: 102
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Rank: 103
Palestinian Territories
Palestinian Territories
Palestinian Territories
Rank: 104
Somalia
Somalia
Somalia
Rank: 105
Yemen
Yemen
Yemen
Rank: 106
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
Rank: 107
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Rank: 108
Syria
Syria
Syria
Rank: 109
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Rank: 110

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