The planning and citizenship company Henley & Partners ranks the best passports in the world according to the number of countries where they allow holders to enter without a visa or to obtain one upon arrival.
This list is based on data from the International Air Transport Association.
Japan wins the title of "best" passport for the year 2019. Its citizens can enter 190 countries without requiring a visa.
The United States and England have lost points in the standings since 2015 and are now in sixth place. They can enter 185 countries without applying for a visa.
Recently, the United States announced that the ESTA - the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa-waiver which was generally issued within minutes and allows citizens of many countries, including Australia, to enter in the United States without requiring a visa - would be granted under a minimum of four days.
Travelers who have not taken precautions in advance may be refused entry.
For the past 12 years, freedom of movement has improved considerably; in 2006, an average traveler could visit around 58 countries without applying for a visa against 107 at the end of last year.
The French passport remains fairly stable in recent years, occupying third place in the ranking with visa-free access to 188 countries.
The world's most powerful passports for 2019
Japan 190 countries visa-free
Singapore, South Korea 189
France, Germany 188
Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden 187
Luxembourg, Spain 186
Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States 185
Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland 184
Czech Republic 183
Malta 182
Australia, Iceland, New Zealand 181
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia 180
Estonia, Malaysia 179
Liechtenstein 178
Chile 175
Monaco, Poland 174
Cyprus 173
Brazil 171
Argentina 170
Bulgaria, Hong Kong (SAR China), Romania 169
Andorra, Croatia, San Marino 168
The world's 10 worst passports for 2019
Afghanistan, Iraq 30 countries visa-free
Somalia, Syria 32
Pakistan 33
Yemen 37
Eritrea 38
Palestinian Territory, Sudan 39
Nepal 40
Source: Traveller.com.au
