Singapore now boasts the world’s most powerful passport

Not all passports are equal when it comes to global travel—but which one stands above the rest?

Thanks to Paraguay's recent decision to waive visa requirements for Singaporean passport holders, the city-state now claims the top spot on the Passport Index.

Created by Arton Capital, an international advisory firm specializing in residence and citizenship, the Passport Index is a free, interactive platform that ranks passports based on their global mobility.

With a Singaporean passport, travelers can easily visit 159 countries, either without a visa or by obtaining one upon arrival.

Before Paraguay lifted its visa restrictions, Singapore shared the top spot on the Index with Germany, which had a passport score of 158.

For the first time in history, an Asian nation holds the title of having the world’s most powerful passport, says Philippe May, managing director at Arton Capital’s Singapore office.

Philippe May explained to Dinogo, 'Since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore has steadily enhanced the strength of its passport.'

'This is thanks to a wise and forward-thinking foreign policy, excellent diplomatic relations, and an understanding of globalization as an opportunity,' May continued. 'Unlike Schengen Area countries in Europe, Singapore has the sole authority to grant visa-free access.'

'Singapore isn’t bound by a shared travel zone like some ASEAN nations and has never had to impose visa restrictions on foreign nationals simply because other ASEAN members do so,' May added.

Other Asian passports ranked in the top 20 include those from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.

The US passport has seen a decline in ranking since Donald Trump’s presidency, according to the Passport Index. It also notes that Turkey and the Central African Republic were the latest countries to revoke visa-free access for US passport holders.

How does the Passport Index operate?

The Passport Index calculates a 'visa-free score' by evaluating how many countries a passport holder can visit without a visa or with a visa on arrival. It also factors in the UN Human Development Index.

The index includes passports from 193 UN member states and six territories—ROC Taiwan, Macao (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory, and the Vatican. Territories annexed by other nations are not considered.

Henley Passport Index: Global Power Rankings

1. Singapore: 159 countries

2. Germany: 158 countries

3. Sweden, South Korea: 157 countries

4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, France, Spain, Norway, Japan, United Kingdom: 156 countries

5. Luxembourg, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal: 155 countries

6. Malaysia, Ireland, Canada, United States: 154 countries

7. Australia, Greece, New Zealand: 153 countries

8. Malta, Czech Republic, Iceland: 152 countries

9. Hungary: 150 countries

10. Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia: 149 countries

So, which passports provide the least international access?

What about future contenders?

Arton Capital's managing director May predicts that two groups of independent nations will keep strengthening their passports: 'Small nations with no threats to others, and progressive, open-minded countries, especially those with a strong rule of law.'

This includes Singapore, along with the six nations in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS): St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.

'On the other hand, countries that are part of supranational organizations or in conflict with others face more challenges,' he explained.

'In a supranational organization, when one country has an issue with another, all associated nations are impacted. It’s like a domino effect. If Country X has a dispute with Country Y and imposes visa restrictions, Y will respond in kind.'

'But if Country X is in the Schengen Area, all Schengen members will be compelled to retaliate, and they most likely will,' he added.

The market for passports

'Visa-free global mobility is increasingly vital in today’s world,' said Armand Arton, founder and president of Arton Capital, at the recent Global Citizen Forum in Montenegro.

'Each year, more individuals are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in second passports to secure better opportunities and safety for their families.'

How can you acquire a passport from a country where you don’t reside?

This is where companies like Arton Capital come in, assisting high-net-worth individuals to participate in citizenship by investment programs (CIPs), where investing in a country's economy can unlock access to more powerful passports.

Learn more about this in Dinogo Travel’s latest feature on passports for sale.

Other rankings

Arton Capital’s Passport Index considers the passports of 193 UN member countries and six territories—ROC Taiwan, Macao (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory, and the Vatican. It excludes territories annexed by other countries.

The methodology for determining rankings varies.

Henley & Partners, in collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), publishes its own Visa Restrictions Index annually, considering 218 countries and territories.

Sweden maintained its second position with access to 175 countries, while Denmark, Finland, Italy, Spain, and the United States tied for third with 174 countries.

The Nomad Passport Index, on the other hand, evaluates 199 citizenships based on five factors: visa-free travel, international taxation, perception, dual citizenship, and personal freedom.

The 2017 list ranks Sweden as the most desirable passport, with Belgium in second place. Spain and Italy share third position, while Ireland completes the top five.