In a notable development in global mobility rankings, Singapore has ascended to the top position in the 2024 Henley Passport Index, released on Wednesday, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries.
This change marks a departure from last year when Japan held the premier spot. Japan now ranks second with visa-free access to 192 countries, while South Korea stands third, offering entry to 191 countries without a visa.
This reshuffling underscores the continued dominance of Asian countries in the Henley Passport Index, which measures the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. The index is compiled by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Where Does the U.S. Rank?
The U.S. passport has experienced a decline, now ranking eighth with visa-free access to 186 countries, down from its previous ranking. This places the U.S. behind Canada, the UK, and several European nations, indicating a relative weakening in its global mobility.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has made a significant leap. Previously ranked 15th, the UAE now sits among the top 10, with visa-free access to 185 countries. This improvement reflects the UAE’s strategic diplomatic efforts and expanding international relations.
An earlier report by Skift highlighted how visa-free policies play a crucial role in promoting tourism. Efficient visa processing or visa-free entry can lead to a surge in tourist numbers, as it eliminates the bureaucratic hassle and cost of obtaining visas. This, in turn, can drive economic growth and enhance international relationships.
China Moves Up
China has also shown progress in the passport ranking, moving from 66th place in 2023 to 59th, with visa-free access to 85 countries. This increase aligns with China’s recent focus on easing visa procedures and establishing mutual visa waiver agreements. The first half of this year saw 14.64 million foreign visitors to China, a 152% year-on-year increase, according to the National Immigration Administration. China is simplifying visa procedures with over 40 countries and has mutual visa waiver agreements with more than 20. This push is yielding results, with over 8.5 million visa-free entries recorded from January to June, making up 58% of inbound travel and reflecting a 190% year-on-year increase.
India has also seen a slight improvement, rising two spots to 82nd place, indicating a gradual enhancement in its international travel accessibility.
Thailand has improved its ranking from 68th to 60th. The country has broadened its visa policies, increasing the number of nations eligible for visa-free entry from 57 to 93 and expanding visa-on-arrival access from 19 to 31 countries.
The Top 10 Powerful Passports So Far…
| Rank | Country | Number of Countries with Visa-Free Access |
| 1 | Singapore | 195 |
| 2 | France Germany Italy Japan Spain | 192 |
| 3 | Austria Finland Ireland Luxembourg Netherlands South Korea Sweden | 191 |
| 4 | Belgium Denmark New Zealand Norway Switzerland United Kingdom | 190 |
| 5 | Australia Portugal | 189 |
| 6 | Greece Poland | 188 |
| 7 | Canada Czechia Hungary Malta | 187 |
| 8 | U.S. | 186 |
| 9 | Estonia Lithuania United Arab Emirates | 185 |
| 10 | Iceland Latvia Slovakia | 184 |
Source: Henley Passport Index
