Most Powerful Passports in 2020

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Passport is the gateway for every traveler to legally enter into a world beyond borders of his nation. At the starting of 2020, Henley Passport Index has created hullabaloo with its list of the world’s most powerful passports in 2020. If Henley Passport Index is an alien term for you - it is a global ranking of countries depending on the travel freedom of their citizens around the world. More countries a passport holder can travel visa-free to, more powerful the passport is. Henley is providing the list of ‘Most Powerful Passports in the World’ on their website since 2006 in collaboration with International Air Transport Association (IATA). Asia continues to dominate the list with the first two ranks being held by Japan and Singapore.

Indian Passport

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India’s rank in the list of world’s most powerful passport has slipped from 82nd to 84th rank this year. Indian passport allows you to travel 58 destinations around the world visa-free, out of which 33 countries provide visa on arrival to the travelers. These 58 destinations include countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Macao, Maldives, Iran, Qatar and Uganda. Indian Passport holders have the right of free movement and residence in Nepal under 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

Top 10 Powerful Passports in World

Rank 1: Japan

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Japanese Passport is the most powerful travel document that one can own. It is the third consecutive year for Japan to hold top ranks in the list of world’s most powerful passport. Japanese Passport allows the holders to travel 191 destinations in the world without visa. Japan is amongst the few nations that provide their passport holders a visa-free or electronic travel authorization entry to the world’s four largest economies namely, India, China, European Union and United States. 

Rank 2: Singapore

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Singapore shared first position in the list of world’s most powerful passport last year but this year it has dropped down to rank two with visa free travel to 190 destinations. Singapore is the only developed nation that has access to travel Cuba without a pre-arranged visa or travel card. Singaporean Citizens have the access to visa-free entry or Electronic Travel Authorization to four largest economies in the World.

Rank 3: South Korea & Germany

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Third Rank is shared by South Korea and Germany with visa free travel access to 189 countries. Last year both the countries were sharing second position along with Finland. South Korean Passport holders have access to travel visa-free to all G8 countries. If one has the German passport, one can work and live anywhere in the EU as per the Article 21 of the EU Treaty.

Rank 4: Italy & Finland

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Italy is at the forth position along with Finland. If you have Italian or Finnish Passports, you can travel to 188 countries without visa. A Finnish passport holder have many advantages like they have right of residence and movement in the states of Switzerland, European Economic Area and European Union.

Rank 5: Denmark, Luxembourg& Spain

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Denmark and Luxembourg were at the third position last year while Spain was at the fourth. In the world’s most powerful passport list 2020, now their names are at the fifth position with access to 187 destinations without visa. To travel to Spain, Indian passport holders are required to get Schengen visa through which they get access to travel any European country that lies within Schengen Zone.

Rank 6: Sweden & France

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Anyone who holds the Swedish or French Passport can travel to 186 destinations around the world visa free. Sweden and France have made to be on the sixth position in the list of world’s most powerful passport issued by Henley Passport Index in 2020. As per the Article 21 of EU Treaty, France and Sweden are amongst few nations which have right to free movement and residence in any states of Switzerland, European Union and European Economic Area.

Rank 7: Switzerland, Portugal, Netherland and Ireland

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Seventh position in the list of world’s most powerful passport issued by Henley Passport Index is shared by four nations -Switzerland, Portugal, Netherland and Ireland. If you have any of these passports, you can travel to 185 destinations around the world Visa-free. Swiss Passport grants you free access to Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein and 28 European Union member states as per the bilateral agreements with the EU.

Rank 8: US, UK, Greece, Belgium and Norway

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World’s most powerful passport list has five nations on the eighth position namely, US, UK, Greece, Belgium and Norway. Passport holders of these nations can travel visa-free to 184 destinations across the globe. Anyone who holds British, American, Belgian, Norwegian or Greek passport can travel to India by getting an eVisa through their respective online portal.

Rank 9: New Zealand, Malta, Czech Republic, Australia and Canada

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Ninth Rank is seized by five nations namely, New Zealand, Malta, Czech Republic, Australia and Canada. Passport holders of these nations have entrance to 183 destinations visa-free. To everyone’s surprise, Belgium has dropped from 6th to 9th rank in the list of world’s most powerful passport.

Rank 10: Iceland, Hungary, Slovenia and Latvia

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Four nations acquire the tenth position in the Henley Passport Index’s list of world’s most powerful passport in 2020. Iceland, Hungary, Slovenia and Latvia have the access to 180 nations where the citizens of above mentioned countries can travel visa-free. Iceland being the member of European Economic Area has access to travel free to 28 European Union member states, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Norway. 

Now you know how many countries you can travel visa-free with your passport. So, don’t delay your travel plans, book flights with EaseMyTrip and avail some really good discount offers.