Singapore has reclaimed the title of having the world’s most powerful passport, surpassing France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Holding a Singapore passport now grants visa-free entry to a record 195 global destinations, securing the city-state the top spot on the Henley Passport Index. Previously, the four European countries held the No. 1 position earlier in the year and are now ranked second, alongside Japan.

For the first time, seven nations share the third spot. Passport holders from Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden can access 191 destinations without a visa.

The ranking, published by London-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, relies on data from the International Air Transport Association to evaluate the access of 199 passports to 227 travel destinations.

"The ability to travel visa-free to a wide array of destinations is no longer merely a convenience," stated Henley's Chief Executive Officer, Juerg Steffen. "It's a powerful economic tool that can drive growth, foster international cooperation, and attract foreign investment."

In contrast, Malaysia's passport has been ranked 12th in the latest global passport index, enabling its holders to travel visa-free to 182 out of 227 destinations worldwide.

Source : BusinessTimes
Image Credit : The Independent Singapore News