Do you want to know which are the world's most friendly passport nations? Then you must surely check out the latest list released by Henley's Passport Index 2021. Japan and Singapore have earned the highest rank followed by South Korea and Germany. India has been able to secure 90th position in the list.
Henley & Partners is a London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, which releases the "Henley Passport Index" every year. This year there has been several travel restrictions imposed by the countries, which has significantly impacted the global mobility. The index ranks the passports of the countries based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without a visa. The rankings are determined after a thorough analysis of the data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
As per the latest reports, The Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, Dr. Christian H Kaelin, stated that “If we want to restart the global economy, it is critical that developed nations encourage inward migration flows, as opposed to persisting with outmoded restrictions. Resourceful countries need to futureproof their economies by attracting and welcoming the upcoming generation. It is pivotal that advanced nations consider revising their current somewhat exclusive approach to the rest of the world and reform and adapt to overcome the competition and not miss the opportunity to embrace the potential.”
What has been specified in the Henley Passport Index Report 2021?
The results of Japan and Singapore being at the top of the list, implies their passports to be the most powerful in the world; allowing visa free travel to 192 countries. South Korea and Germany are second; their passports allowing visa free travel to 190 countries. India’s rank has reduced to 90, lower by 6 spots as compared to last year. Indian passport holders can travel to 58 countries without visa. India shares the rank with Tajikistan and Burkina Faso.
Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain share the 3rd spot with visa free access to 189 countries. UK and US share the 7th place on the index with a visa-free access to 185 countries.
Egypt has currently no travel restrictions in place but has been ranked 97th, since its citizens can access just 51 destinations around the world without visa. Similarly, Kenya, with no travel restrictions has been ranked 77th. The reason being its passport holders can travel to 72 destinations without visa.
The least powerful passports, as per the index, are Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen. Afghanistan passport holders can travel to 26 countries without visa; least among the other countries in the world.
What is in it for the Indian travellers?
Though COVID-19 has curbed many travels, yet the zeal is still on for the world to heal and to commence travel. Indian travel enthusiasts are waiting eagerly to venture outside and some have already embarked on doing so. With the index results out, the travellers will get a good idea of the countries which allow Indian passport holders without any visa. The prominent among them being Mauritius, Indonesia, Macau, Cook islands, Fiji, Haiti, Maldives and Serbia. You can stay in these countries for a maximum of 30 days to 90 days.
Some interesting facts to ponder on
Excerpts from the Q4 global mobility report of the Henley & Partners firm states that, "The global mobility gap is at its widest point ever and continues to expand due to proliferating barriers to entry erected since the outbreak of the pandemic. Many countries in the global south have relaxed their borders in a concerted effort to revive their economies but there has been very little reciprocity from countries in the global north, which have enforced some of the most stringent inbound Covid-19-related travel restrictions. Even fully vaccinated travelers from countries at the lower end of the Henley Passport Index remain locked out of most of the developed world.”
The index has showered interesting information on the gap between the most powerful and least powerful passports. It signifies how the gap has widened due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions. The analysis and research by the firm also states that the gap might widen more and more as nations with strongest passports have imposed strict barriers for travellers from other nations, including India. Hence even if some countries have allowed visa free access to many nations and have curbed the travel restrictions, yet the same has not been reciprocated by other nations. India is also not an exception.
Yet on the final thoughts, good news is there for Indian travellers, with visa free travel to 58 nations in the world. So if you are eager to plan for an International travel, then check out the countries allowing visa free access. Bet you can spend a memorable vacation.
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