This country now has the world’s most powerful passport
Last year, Singapore was the most powerful passport in world. However, it is now tied in second place with Germany after the United Arab Emirates climbed the ladder this year to be the world’s most powerful passport, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
The Middle Eastern state added four new countries to its easy entry destinations, bringing their total to 167 countries.
Australia’s passport is in 7th place beside Malaysia, Slovenia, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Latvia.
Australians are free to travel to 109 countries visa-free and get automatic entry visas on arrival from 52 nations.
New Zealand travellers are 6th on the list and can enjoy visa-free travel to 112 countries and obtain automatic entry visas in 50 countries upon arrival.
Holders of Iceland and Maltese passports can enter 162 countries without a prearranged visa.
The reason that the United Arab Emirates has surprised many people is due to the fact that last year the nation wasn’t even listed in the top 10 on the travel list.
Dubai’s leader welcomed the news through a tweet stating, “Congratulations to the UAE and it’s people and big thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s teams.”
The least powerful passports include Iraq and Afghanistan which grant visa-free access to only 32 and 29 countries.
Passport power ranks:
- United Arab Emirates
- Singapore, Germany
- Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Norway, South Korea and USA
- Belgium, Austria, Japan, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Ireland and Canada and United Kingdom
- Czech Republic and Hungary
- Malta, Iceland, New Zealand
- Malaysia, Slovenia, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia and Australia
- Estonia
- Romania and Bulgaria
- Cyprus and Liechtenstein