Who Rules the Travel World? Passport Rankings You Need to Know in 2024
Traveling is something which every person loves. When it is about international traveling, sometimes we feel that visa procedures are tough. At that moment we realize the ability to travel freely is an asset for everyone. When you have a strong passport with you, you will face less bond with you.
Recently Global Passport Power Index for 2024 has been released. Where in the ranking list United Arab Emirates secured the position of most powerful passport for the fourth year running at this index ranking.
Because of this ranking citizens of the UAE enjoy visa-free access to 133 countries and visas on arrival in 47 others. This wide expansion is capability grants them unparalleled global mobility.
Top 20 Most Powerful Passports (2024)
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Access | Visa on Arrival |
| 1 | UAE | 133 | 47 |
| 2 | Spain | 130 | 45 |
| 3 | Finland | 128 | 46 |
| 4 | France | 127 | 47 |
| 5 | Germany | 126 | 46 |
| 6 | Belgium | 125 | 46 |
| 7 | Italy | 124 | 47 |
| 8 | Denmark | 123 | 46 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 122 | 47 |
| 10 | Luxembourg | 121 | 46 |
Know about the shifts in rankings
If we talk about some of the key nations and bigger changes. We can say, that Spain has moved ahead of Germany to take second place. Finland is now in third, and France in fourth. The UK has dropped to 32nd, a big fall from being in the top 10 back in 2017. Another big player USA has fallen further, now in 38th place, far from its top 20 ranking in 2019.
Which countries have the least powerful passports?
Analysts can say the nations that are facing instability, become the powerhouse of terrorism, and facing international bans are the ones who are at the spot of least powerful passports.
Least Powerful Passports (2024)
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Access | Visa on Arrival |
| 1 | Syria | 9 | 15 |
| 2 | Afghanistan | 10 | 16 |
| 3 | Iraq | 12 | 18 |
| 4 | Somalia | 13 | 17 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 14 | 19 |
Regional Highlights: South Korea Leads in Asia!
European nations dominate the top rankings showing their diplomatic reach. South Korea holds the strongest passport in the Asian region. It ranks 21st and after that, the 25th position is Japan and the 30th for Singapore. Yemen and Syria are facing tighter visa restrictions because of war and crisis in the region.
The Passport Power Index reflects the global geopolitical landscape, showing how diplomatic relations and internal stability influence international mobility.
