By Ayan Das
In the ongoing competition of the world’s most powerful passport, Japan won a gold medal, according to the Henley Passport Index (HPI). The Japanese citizens recently gained visa-free access to Myanmar which now allow the holders to travel freely to 190 countries and territories, overtaking Singapore which once enjoyed the most powerful visa access to 189 countries.
The Japanese government estimates its passport’s strong position is the evidence of effective national security regulations. Germany, which began 2018 in the crown spot, is now in the third place with 188 countries, tied with France and South Korea.
The United States which held its crown in 2015 has now fell to the fifth position with 186 locations after failing to gain access to new destinations behind Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden and Spain which uplifted its position with 187 countries.
“With stagnant outbound visa activity compared to Asian high-performers like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, it seems increasingly unlikely that the US and the UK will regain No. 1 spot they jointly held in 2015,’ the firm reported.
The United Arab Emirates which hold its rank at 62 in 2006, jumped to rank 21 in 2018 which allows it to travel 161 locations. Competing with Georgia and Ukraine, these three countries are the biggest climbers in the 2018 rankings.
With accessibility to 30 countries only, Afghanistan and Iraq have the weakest passport in this October survey.
| RANK | COUNTRY | SCORE |
| 1 | Japan | 190 |
| 2 | Singapore | 189 |
| 3 | Germany | 188 |
| 3 | France | 188 |
| 3 | South Korea | 188 |
| 4 | Denmark | 187 |
| 4 | Finland | 187 |
| 4 | Italy | 187 |
| 4 | Sweden | 187 |
| 4 | Spain | 187 |
| 5 | United States | 186 |
The Henley Passport Index is based on the exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), covering 199 passports and 227 travel locations. Henley & Partners, a London-based residence and citizenship planning firm, formally announces the rankings annually, as and when visa policy changes come into effect.