In Pictures: These countries have world's most powerful passports

SUMMARY

The Henley Passport Index is calculated on the basis of the ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Here is the list of countries that took top spots in the list of world's most powerful passports:

By Pradeep Suresh Oct 10, 2019 2:55:33 PM IST (Published)

1. Japan: Japan secured the top position with 190 score. The Land of the Rising Sun, Japan allows its citizens to travel to 164 countries without a visa.

1. Singapore: The island nation shared the top position with Japan owing to its strong performance.

2. South Korea: A country known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old temples, has emerged second with its score being 188.

2. Germany: The land of automobile manufacturing and beer, Germany also came second in the list with visa-free travel to 127 countries, visa on arrival to 39 while visa is required for 32.

2. Finland: The Scandinavian nation which borders Sweden, Norway and Russia is also second in the list, sharing the spot with Germany and South Korea.

3. Denmark: Another Scandinavian nation comes at the third spot owing to its strong performance with score being 187.

3. Italy: Popular tourist destination Italy also comes third in the list with its score being 187.

3. Luxembourg: A small country situated in the heart of Europe shares the third spot with Italy and Denmark.

4. Sweden: Citizens of this Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands have visa-free access to over 150 nations.

4. France: France, famous for its architecture, language and food, comes fourth, sharing the spot with Sweden.

4. Spain: Spain, a culturally rich country, also comes fourth with 186 score.

5. Austria: Austrians can travel to 164 destinations without a visa.

5. The Netherlands: One of the most happening places in Europe, the Dutch can travel visa-free to many nations.

5. Portugal: Once a nation proud of its maritime empire, Portugal has secured fifth position, sharing the spot with The Netherlands.

6. Norway: While people around the world flock to Norway to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, Norwegian themselves can travel hassle-free across the globe.

6. Switzerland: Home to the Alps, a tax-free haven, the country has emerged sixth.

6. United Kingdom: Home to the British Royals, UK has one of the most powerful passports.

6. United States of America: The biggest economy in the world, the US, comes sixth in the list, sharing the spot with UK, Switzerland and others.

6. Belgium: Home to the European Union and NATO, Belgium has secured the sixth spot.

6. Canada: Canadian passport is the sixth most powerful one, sharing the position with others.

6. Greece: Often called the cradle of Western civilization, a party hub and a place to relax and unwind, Greece gives its citizens access to hundreds of nations visa-free.

6. Ireland: Ireland, the second-biggest island of British Isles, gives its citizens access to many destinations without a visa or a visa-on-arrival.

7. Czech Republic: A country famous for its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, Czech Republic gives its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over a hundred destinations.

7. Malta: The island country in the Mediterranean Sea gives its citizens access to many destinations around the world.

8. New Zealand: New Zealand comes eighth in the list of world's most powerful passports.

9. Australia: Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries and Australians themselves can travel to many destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.

9. Lithuania: The southernmost of Europe’s Baltic states, a former Soviet bloc nation bordering Poland, Latvia and Belarus, Lithuania is known for its Gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture.

9. Slovakia: Situated near the Austrian border and known for its dramatic natural landscape and many castles, Slovakia comes ninth in the list with its people getting to travel to many destinations visa-free.

10. Iceland: 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 visa-free or with visa on-arrival.

10. Hungary: Situated in Central Europe, Hungary allows its citizens to travel to numerous countries without a visa.

10. Latvia: A country on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia and marked by wide beaches as well as dense, sprawling forests, Latvia secures the tenth spot.

10. Slovenia: Slovenia, known for its mountains, ski resorts and Lake Bled, a glacial lake fed by hot springs, allows its citizens to travel hassle-free to several nations.

82. India: The sub-continent attracts millions of tourists every single day but allows its citizens to travel to only limited destinations without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival.