Which Is The Most Powerful Passport?
The index has ranked New Zealand as the most powerful passport in the world. It previously shared this title with Japan, but after the pandemic, Japan has slid down to second place, which it shares with Germany, Australia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland.
People who have a New Zealand passport have the ability to travel to 129 countries without having to get a visa. Just six months previously, This list was only at 80 countries, when the pandemic was at its zenith.
Despite this, according to the New Zealand Herald, this number still represents a 40% decrease in nations that allow unrestricted travel to New Zealand citizens previously.
The Pandemic Has Shaped The Travel Industry
Tied in third place according to the index are France, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, and Spain. Fourth place is shared by the United Kingdom, Denmark, Portugal, Netherlands, Lithuania, Norway, Iceland, and Canada.
So where does the United States fall? Well, after previously being in the top 10 of the list, it is now in 21st place.
Powerful Passport Allow For Visa Free Traveling
The passport ranking organization shared: “The data is clear: with temporary travel bans and visa restrictions, many countries which once held a powerful passport, are now ranking amongst the lowest in the world. Through another lens, Passport Index shows the clear influence of the pandemic with its World Openness Score (WOS), the benchmark of open travel between countries. Since its inception in 2015, the WOS has continued to increase at an average rate of 6% per year, reaching an all-time world openness of 54% back in December 2019.”
In last place, that spot is tied between Afghanistan and Iraq. Passport holders from these countries can only travel visa-free to five other countries.
