2018 Passport Index | Latest Burning Issues

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HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX

The Henley Passport Index (HPI) is a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom for their citizens. It started in 2006

DEFINITION OF THE INDEX

The HPI consists of a ranking of passports according to how many other territories can be reached ‘visa-free’ The strength of the passport is determined by the number of countries a country gives free access to. The index is updated in real-time, as and when visa-policy changes come into effect. As per the 2018 index, Indians have access to travel without a visa to 60 countries – which includes Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, Fiji, among others.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VISA FREE AND VISA ON ARRIVAL

“Visa free entry” means that entry is a formality, but “visa on arrival” means that an immigration official at your arrival point is responsible for making the final decision as to whether or not you will be granted a visa – and they could decide to deny you entry.
One reason countries do this is so that the local officials can take a more thorough look at you, your passport, your tickets and your luggage 2018

DEVELOPMENTS

Japan has overtaken Singapore to claim the world’s most powerful passport spot on the 2018 Henley Passport Index, having gained visa-free access to Myanmar earlier this month.
Japan now enjoys visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 190 destinations, compared to Singapore’s total of 189

NOTES

The US and the UK, both with 186 destinations, have also slid down one spot — from 4th to 5th place — with neither having gained access to any new jurisdictions since the start of 2018, and both having stagnant outbound visa activity.
Russia received a boost in September when Taiwan announced a visawaiver for Russian nationals (valid until July 2019), but the country has nonetheless fallen from 46th to 47th place compared to Q3, because of movements higher up in the ranking.
The same is true of China: Chinese nationals obtained access to two new jurisdictions (St. Lucia and Myanmar), but the Chinese passport fell two places this quarter, to 71st overall.