Passport Ranking
A comparative assessment of passport 'strength' based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a visa or with simplified entry.
A passport ranking is a comparative assessment of the 'strength' of different countries' travel documents, based primarily on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a visa or with simplified entry (visa on arrival, electronic authorisation). Several analytical indices publish such rankings, and their results can differ slightly because of methodology.
The main metric of most indices is the number of countries and territories that can be entered without a prior visa. Some rankings also factor in economic and reputational elements. Positions change over time: signing or cancelling visa-free agreements moves passports up or down.
Passport rankings are often used when comparing second-citizenship options, as they clearly illustrate freedom of movement. Even so, passport 'strength' is only one criterion: taxes, reputation, presence requirements and other factors are considered alongside it.
“The same passport sits at different heights in different tables, because each ranking counts by its own method. And a position says nothing about the right to live or work somewhere — check your own list of destinations instead.”
Levan Pogosov — LawyerFAQ
Should I choose a programme by its passport ranking?
A ranking is a useful reference point, but it measures visa-free access alone and says nothing about tax, residence requirements, programme stability or your actual travel routes. The decision normally rests on several criteria at once.
Does a high ranking guarantee smooth entry?
No: visa-free means no advance visa is needed, yet admission is decided by border officers and some destinations require prior electronic authorisation. A ranking reflects access to countries, not a right of entry on any given trip.
Why do different rankings place the same passport differently?
Publishers use different methodologies and treat visa-on-arrival, electronic permits and data sources differently. Positions are therefore only comparable within one and the same ranking.
How stable is a position in the ranking?
It moves with visa policy: agreements are signed and suspended, and visa-free access can be withdrawn unilaterally. Long-term plans should not rest on a current position alone.
Is a second passport worth it if my first one is already strong?
Mobility is assessed on the combined set of destinations open to you across both documents, and on having an alternative if restrictions arise. The benefit depends on how far the two country sets overlap.