The well-known British advisory firm Henley & Partners released the latest Heinz Passport Index ranking list for the fourth quarter of 2021.
According to the latest rankings released this season, the Japanese and Singaporean passports rank first in the world with a score of 192 points. In theory, holders are allowed visa-free travel to 192 destinations.
It is understood that this is also the place where the Japanese passport has the most visa-free entry countries for 4 consecutive years since 2018; while Singapore has increased the number of visa-free countries from 190 countries last year to 192 countries visa-free and Japanese passports. Tied for the first place in the latest ranking this year.
The Henry Passport Index is compiled by Henley & Partners, a global market consulting company, in cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It has been published annually since 2006. It ranks the passports of 199 countries (regions) around the world based on their citizens’ freedom of travel. , The number of countries (regions) that passport holders can visit without visa constitutes the visa-free score of the passport, which is regarded as the most authoritative passport index ranking in the world.
The number of visa-free and visa-on-arrival areas for a passport reflects to a certain extent the national strength of a country or region, including diplomatic relations with other countries, reciprocal visa policies, security risks and other factors. The more visa-free countries of a country, the higher the ranking, which means that the citizens of this country have more freedom to travel globally. The government maintains good and strong diplomatic relations with other countries, and at the same time can strengthen economic relations with other countries.
Due to the epidemic, special changes have taken place in this year's ranking. The epidemic caused the list to be "the largest liquidity gap in 16 years of history."
Through the release of this ranking, it can be seen that Austria, Denmark, France, etc., which are visa-free to enter 188 countries (regions), are ranked higher. In addition, holding a US passport can enter 185 countries (regions) visa-free.
According to the data released by the index, in recent years, the countries with the largest increase in rankings are China and the United Arab Emirates. China’s ranking has risen from 78 in 2006 and 18 visa-free countries (regions) to 72 in 2021 (currently Tied with Bolivia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand), the number of visa-free countries can be increased to 79 countries (regions).
In addition, the Hong Kong passport of China ranks 19th and is visa-free for 171 countries (regions); the Macau passport of China ranks 35th and is visa-free for 144 countries (regions).
The United Arab Emirates has performed outstandingly in 2020. It has signed several visa-free agreements, including the reciprocal visa-free agreement reached after the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel under the mediation of the United States, making the UAE rank 62nd in 2006 and 35 visa-free agreements. As of now 16th, there are 174 visa-free countries (regions).
Henley & Partners said that due to the ongoing global epidemic, some countries in the northern hemisphere with higher passport strength still have the strictest inbound travel restrictions, although many countries with lower passport strength have loosened their borders and therefore move around the world at will. The era has not yet arrived.
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