Henley Index: Japan tops list of most powerful passports in 2019, India ranks 79th

SUMMARY

Henley Passport Index ranks all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking is based on the extensive and exclusive data collected from the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) which maintains maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information. Take a look at the following nations which provide visa-free admission into their country: Image Source: Reuters

By CNBC-TV18Jan 10, 2019 4:32:41 PM IST (Updated)

1. Japan: Visa-Free Access Score: 190. The Land of the Rising Sun, Japan takes the top-most position in Henley's most powerful passports in the world list, allowing its citizens to travel in 190 countries without a visa.

2. Singapore: Visa-Free Access Score: 189. A large tourist destination for many, Singapore citizens themselves can travel to 189 nations without a visa.

2. South Korea:Visa-Free Access Score: 189. A country known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples gives visa-free and visa on-arrival access to 189 nations to its citizens.

3. France:Visa-Free Access Score: 188. France, famous for its architecture, language and food, allows visa-free access to 188 destinations to its citizens.

3. Germany: Visa-Free Access Score: 188. The land of automobile manufacturing and beer, Germans can travel to 188 nations visa free or visa on-arrival.

4. Denmark: Visa-Free Access Score: 187. Denmark allows its citizens to travel to 187 nations without a visa.

4. Finland: Visa-Free Access Score: 187. The Scandinavian nation which borders Sweden, Norway and Russia offers visa-free access to 187 destinations to its citizens.

4. Italy: Visa-Free Access Score: 187. Italians can travel to 187 destinations visa-free or visa on-arrival.

4. Sweden: Visa-Free Access Score: 187. Citizens of this Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands have visa-free access to 187 nations.

5. Luxembourg: Visa-Free Access Score: 186. A small country situated in the heart of Europe, surrounded by France, Belgium and Germany, allows its citizens to travel to 186 destinations visa-free around the world.

5. Spain: Visa-Free Access Score: 186. Spain, a culturally rich country gives its citizen access to 186 destinations around the world.

6. Austria: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. According to the Henley Passport Index, Austrians can travel to 185 destinations without a visa.

6. The Netherlands: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. One of the most happening places in Europe, the Dutch can travel visa-free to 185 nations.

6. Norway: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. While people around the world flock to Norway to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, Norwegian themselves can travel to 185 destinations visa-free.

6. Portugal: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. Once a nation proud of its maritime empire, Portugese get to travel to 185 destinations visa-free.

6. Switzerland: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. Home to the Alps, a tax-free haven, the Swiss can travel to 185 destinations.

6. United Kingdom: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. Home to the British Royals, Britons can travel to 185 destinations without any hassle of a visa.

6. United States of America: Visa-Free Access Score: 185. The biggest economy in the world, USA offers visa-free access to 185 nations around the world to its people.

7. Belgium: Visa-Free Access Score: 184. Home to the European Union and NATO, Belgians can explore 184 nations without a visa.

7. Canada: Visa-Free Access Score: 184. Home to the famous Niagra Falls, Canadians can travel to 184 nations without a visa.

7. Greece: Visa-Free Access Score: 184. Often called the cradle of Western civilization, a party hub and a place to relax and unwind, Greeks get access to 184 nations visa free.

7. Ireland: Visa-Free Access Score: 184. Ireland, the second-biggest island of British Isles and the third-largest in Europe gives its citizens access to 184 destinations without a visa or a visa on-arrival.

8. Czech Republic: Visa-Free Access Score: 183. A country famous for its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, the Czechs can travel visa-free or visa on-arrival access to 183 destinations.

9. Malta: Visa-Free Access Score: 182. The island country in the Mediterranean Sea gives its citizens access to 182 destinations around the world.

10. Australia: Visa-Free Access Score: 181. Australia is one of the most culturally diverse country and Australians themselves can travel to 181 destinations visa-free or visa on-arrival.

10. Iceland: Visa-Free Access Score: 181. The ice-clad mountains of Iceland have been attracting visitors from all over the world but Icelanders can easily head out in the other direction with visa-free or visa on-arrival to 181 destinations.

10. New Zealand: Visa-Free Access Score: 181. Since the release of "The Lord of the Rings" series, tourists have been flocking to this island country to get 'The Hobbit' experience. New Zealanders have visa-free or visa on-arrival access to 181 destinations.

79. India: Visa-Free Access Score: 61. The sub-continent attracts millions of tourists every single day but allows its citizens to travel to only 61 destinations without a visa or with a visa on-arrival.