World's Most Powerful Passports Revealed for 2019. Japan or Singapore, Which Country Tops the List this Year?

Brazilian President just announced last week during an official visit to China that their country would no longer require visas from the Indian citizens. As soon as the decision was made public, netizens took no time and bombarded our entire feeds with memes. Truly said, it seems the tradition of playing “Brazil La La La” in almost every function has finally paid off.

This recent announcement has helped India jump 3 places in the Global Rankings of Most Powerful Passports as released by the “Henley Passport Index”. India now ranks at 79th position in terms of most powerful passports in the world. But do you know which country still occupies that top spot?

Henley & Partners consider the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa as the most important criterion for this assessment. Other factors include mobility rate and reputation in the world. Let’s have a look at countries which top the list.

1. Japan

Japan tops the list with 190 countries allowing Visa-on-arrival to Japanese citizens. Japan overtook Singapore in 2018 after Myanmar granted visa-free access to the former’s citizens.

2. Singapore

Singapore topped the list until a year ago before Japan overtook the country. However, Guinea lifted the visa requirement in Nov 2018 and now Singapore is back on #1.

3. South Korea, Germany, Finland

The North European country of Finland along with South Korea and Germany ranks #2 with 188 countries allowing visa-on-arrival or visa-free access to their citizens.

4. Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg

These 3 European countries have visa-free access to 187 countries for their citizens.

5. France, Sweden, Spain

European nations are surely dominating here. France, Sweden, and Spain have access to 186 countries.

6. Austria, Netherlands, Portugal

Still stuck in Europe? Yeahhh!!! The air traffic here seems to be huge. These 3 countries grab the spot #5.

7. The United States and Canada

Finally a country outside Europe. Phew!! But there’s a twist. US and Canada are not the only 2 countries on that #6 mark. They are joined by 6 other European nations. Yes, you read that right.

8. Czech Republic and Malta

The benevolent nature and happiness index in these European nations are mainly responsible for so many countries granting their citizens visa-free arrival. These 2 nations have access to 183 countries.

9. New Zealand and Australia

The 2 countries from Oceania have managed to stick together here too. While New Zealand has access to 182 countries, Australian citizens can freely roam in 181.

10. Brazil

Brazil, which granted visa-free access to Indian citizens recently, itself has such access to 170 countries in the world. It currently sits at the 17th spot.

11. Russia

Russian citizens have visa-free access to 117 countries. The country is at the 48th spot.

12. China

With access to 71 countries, China is at #72.

13. Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan

The last spots ranked 105, 106, and 107 are occupied by the war-struck countries of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan respectively.

Brazilian President took this step to open doors to the developing world. Seems that more and more Indians are gonna visit Christ the Redeemer now onwards.