When it comes to visa-free access to other countries around the world, Japan sets the bar.
The Asian nation offers it citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 189 destinations around the world.
This has them on the top of the list when it comes to the world’s most powerful passports, otherwise known as the Henley Passport Index.
Canada isn’t far behind, offering its citizens the same kind of access to 185 destinations, but that’s only good enough for 17th spot on the list, tied with four other countries.
The Henley Passport Index is put together by Henley & Partners, based on annual data received from the International Air Transport Authority.
“The Henley & Partners research team uses publicly available and reliable online sources to cross-check each passport against all 227 possible travel destinations,” explains the Henley and Partners website.
“This research process is ongoing throughout the year. It is coupled with a rigorous monitoring system to pick up relevant visa-policy shifts.”
Japan Has the Most Powerful Passport in the World https://t.co/nJ1wIYyxV6
— Henley & Partners (@HenleyPartners) May 22, 2018
For each travel destination, passports are awarded one point if no visa is required for passport holders from that country or territory to access said destination.
A point is also awarded if passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit or an electronic travel authority.
To see the entire set of rankings, click this link.
