Which are the world's most powerful passports?
It is a question widely debated in social media. According to the latest report released by Henley & Partners, a citizenship and planning firm, German citizens remain the most powerful passport-holders in the world.
Of the 218 total countries (destinations including territories) listed, German passport gains visa-free access to 177 countries. Sweden retained the second position in the list with ranking of 176. A larger group of countries sit in third place, with Finland, France, Italy, Spain and the UK all having visa-free access to 175 countries.
Do you know how many countries give visa-free entry to Indian passport holders? Only 52 countries.
India ranks 85th in the list, along with countries like Mali and Uzbekistan.
Australian passport is the world's eighth powerful one, as Australian citizens can travel to 169 countries without worrying about visa.
What is the passport power ranking?
It's a ranking that takes into account how many countries you can visit without applying for a visa, according to the passport you hold. Check it out how good your passport is compared to the rest of the world.
The world's least powerful passport belongs to Afghanistan citizens, who can visit just 25 countries without a visa.
Visa restrictions are imposed by countries to control the crossing of their borders and almost all countries require visas from certain non-citizens who wish to enter or to leave their territory.
The world's most powerful passports
1. Germany, 177 countries can be visited without a visa
2. Sweden, 176
3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, 175
4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, United States, 174
5. Austria, Japan, Singapore, 173
6. Canada, Ireland (Republic of), Korea (Republic of, South), Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, 172
7. Greece, New Zealand, 171
8. Australia, 169
9. Malta, 168
10. Hungary, Czech Republic, Iceland, 167
The world's least powerful passports
1. Afghanistan, 25 countries can be visited without a visa
2. Pakistan, 29
3. Iraq, 30
4. Somalia, 31
5. Syria, 32
6. Libya, 36
7. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, Sudan, 37
8. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen, 38
9. Bangladesh, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Lebanon, Sri Lanka, 39
10. Burundi, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of, North), Myanmar, 42
