The Passport That Gets You Everywhere - And the Ones That Get You Almost Nowhere

A newly released global passport ranking has revealed just how dramatically travel freedom varies across the world. According to the Henley Passport Index, Singapore tops the list once again, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an unmatched 193 countries and territories.

Japan and South Korea share second place, with entry into 190 destinations without prior visa requirements. Several European nations, including Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, and Spain, tied for third, each allowing passport holders to travel to 189 countries with minimal red tape.

The United States, while not at the very top, still wields significant influence in the travel arena, landing in 10th place alongside Lithuania and Iceland. Holders of these passports can visit 182 countries without major restrictions. An Israeli passport can get you into 170 countries.

But at the bottom of the ranking, the picture is starkly different. Afghan passport holders can access just 25 destinations visa-free, making it the least powerful passport in the world. Syrian citizens fare little better, with 27 destinations, while Iraqi passport holders can reach 30.

The index, based on International Air Transport Authority (IATA) data, analyzed 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, highlighting a vast gap in mobility rights that reflects geopolitical divisions and global inequality.