Passports of Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Photo courtesy of Henley & Partners
Singapore, Japan, and South Korea hold the most powerful passports in Asia, while Nepal, Yemen, and Afghanistan remain among the lowest-ranked in terms of visa-free access in the region, a new report found.
Singapore maintained its regional as well as global lead with visa-free access to 195 out of 227 countries and territories, according to the October edition of the Henley Global Mobility Report, published by British citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners.
Japan ranked second in Asia with visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by South Korea with 191 destinations.
The United Arab Emirates placed fourth in Asia, with its passport granting access to 185 destinations visa-free.
Malaysia ranked fifth, providing its passport holders visa-free entry to 183 destinations.
Other powerful passports in Asia include Hong Kong (171 destinations), Israel (170), Brunei (166), Qatar (107), Kuwait (99), Maldives (94), China (85), Thailand (82), and Indonesia (76).
Nepal, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan have the least powerful passports in the region.
Vietnam’s passport has slipped three places to 90th in the ranking, now allowing holders visa-free access to 51 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 global passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa.
Updated in real-time throughout the year as visa policy changes take effect, the index has become a widely recognized tool for assessing global mobility.
