A Powerful Passport - What is It?

The beginning of 2024 was marked by the appearance of an updated rating of the Passport Index from the international company Henley & Partners. The leading positions among powerful passports are occupied by the most important documents of citizens of 6 countries at once: Japan, France, Spain, Italy, Singapore, and Germany. What does "powerful passport" mean? It is the level of freedom of movement that an identity document confers on its owner. The Passport Index examines the visa rules and restrictions of over 200 countries around the world and ranks them by the number of visa-free states. The compiled list is regularly updated and replenished with new data - it all depends on changes in the conditions of visa policy in each state. 

This year, the countries ranked first in the rating allow their citizens to freely visit 194 countries. South Korea, Finland, and Sweden are ranked one line below. Citizens of these countries can enter 193 countries without prior authorization.

What other countries are in the top 5 ranking of powerful passports? Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, and Denmark are in third place with the indicator of 192 countries. The fourth place is shared by Portugal, Norway, Great Britain, Luxembourg, and Belgium - their level is 191. The top five are Switzerland, Greece, and Malta with a score of 190. As you can see, the gap between the first 5 places is only 1 point. By the next reporting period, the top five may look somewhat different.

With a score of 28 countries, the ranking is closed by Afghanistan. This is one more country than in the October 2023 ranking, but this fact did not have a significant impact on Afghanistan's move up the list. 

How does Henley & Partners rank passports?

The global rankings from Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and mobility consultancy, use information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to compile the list. The rankings have been in the works since 2005 (19 years now!). Previously, changes in it were recorded quarterly. At the beginning of 2024, the company decided to revise the format of work and update the information every month.

To analyze the passports of countries from all sides, Henley & Partners uses information from the Timatic database. In turn, the database is regularly updated with updated requirements currently in force in each particular country - customs regulations, visa and passport regulations.  

Countries are given 1 point for each destination out of 227 available, which a passport holder can visit without a visa or other authorization document. This includes cases where residents can obtain/issue a visa on arrival or obtain a visit permit upon entry to the destination.  

If a visa or electronic authorization must be issued in advance to visit the selected state, no points will be awarded. The more difficulties a citizen of the selected country has to overcome while traveling, the lower the country's place in the ranking will be. The rating is formed at the expense of countries where citizens of the state can enter without additional authorization documents.

Powerful passport: the main advantages

Analyzing the leaders of the Henley & Partners rating, you can see that the main share is occupied by passports of the Schengen zone and the European Union. One of the main advantages for citizens of such countries is freedom of movement around the world. Strong passports have other privileges as well. Let's consider the most important of them in more detail.

A powerful passport = freedom of movement and a "reserve airfield" 

To travel freely in most EU countries, third-country nationals need a Schengen visa. With a tourist visa, you can stay in Schengen for up to 90 days out of 180 days and only for recreation. It is impossible to work, study, or do business with such a permit. 

Since 2022, it has become more difficult for Russian citizens to obtain a visa to the Schengen zone - the application format has become more complicated, the number of refusals has increased, and some countries have stopped issuing visas altogether. Digital nomads, tourists, and people doing international business, it has become more difficult to plan personal and business trips.

To get the desired freedom of movement, and to keep and develop business, you need a residence permit/permanent residence status or a passport of a European country. The easiest way is to obtain a new citizenship for an investment contribution to the treasury of another country. 

High quality of life

European countries are consistently among the top countries with the highest indicators. When analyzing and compiling the list of leaders, the following parameters are taken into account:

1. safety of residence;
2. quality of medical services;
3. cost of living index;
4. purchasing power of citizens;
5. level of environmental pollution;
6. stable economy, and wide opportunities for business and investment.

European countries regularly top the rankings, which assess the growth and stability of the economy, and opportunities for starting and running one's own business. To form an up-to-date rating, the country is evaluated on more than 300 parameters. The leading places are often occupied by Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and Finland.

Powerful passport and quality education

Diplomas of European universities are quoted almost anywhere in the world. At the same time, many prestigious educational institutions set restrictions and quotas for applicants from third countries. In addition, foreign students need to obtain a residence permit to study and regularly prolong it to continue their studies. With a European passport, an applicant can apply for successful admission out of the queue, receive an installment or discount on the chosen course, and even study in another European country for several semesters. 

Quality medical services

EU citizens can use quality medical services not only in their own country but also in any EU state - get a referral to a resort, plan a course of medical procedures in a sanatorium, or take advantage of urgent medical assistance if necessary.

As you can see, a strong passport is not only about freedom of movement. Owning a powerful passport implies freedom of choice, doing business, and the opportunity to build a new, better, and more promising future for yourself and your children. If you dream of obtaining a powerful passport, building and developing an international business, and laying a solid foundation for a new life, the specialists of the migration agency GARANT.IN are waiting for you for a consultation. Together we will identify key points, develop an individual "turnkey" strategy, help you with buying/renting/property registration, obtaining a visa/residence permit/passport, find a school or university for your children, and arrange medical insurance or driver's license. With us, all obstacles become negligible or even leveled to zero!