Table of Contents
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.
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