HENLEY-&-PARTNERS
In a resounding demonstration of Asia’s growing power and influence on the world stage, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea now hold joint top spot on the Henley Passport Index , with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 189. These latest results consolidate 12 months of Asian dominance, after Japan first climbed to the top spot in February last year.
Following a visa-exemption from Uzbekistan, Germany currently sits alone in 2nd place, with a score of 188. Five countries now share 3rd place on the index – which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – with a score of 187: Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, and Sweden. The UK and the US look increasingly unlikely to regain the top spot they jointly held in 2015, with the UK now siting in 5th place with a visa-free/visa on arrival score of 185, and the US in 6th , with a score of 184. Afghanistan and Iraq remain at the bottom of the ranking with a score of just 30, a position they have occupied throughout the index’s 14-year history.
The UAE continues its upward trajectory and is now just one spot away from entry into the index’s top 20. After the recent formalization of a mutual visa-waiver agreement signed with Russia, UAE passport holders are now able to access 165 destinations without a prior visa. China’s ascent is less dramatic, but it is a change experts believe to be far more significant from a geopolitical point of view: the country now sits in 68th spot, having moved up 11 places since 2008.
Dr. Parag Khanna , Founder and Managing Partner of FutureMap says, “With all Asian countries topping the index, there is a clear momentum behind the region taking center stage in globalization. The steady rise of China through its visa-waiver agreements shows how incremental and reciprocal measures can lead to significant progress in trust and recognition.”
The overall passport strength of countries with citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs is another of the index’s success stories. Malta currently sits in 8th spot, ahead of Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand, and Montenegro , which is due to launch its CBI program soon, has climbed 19 places since 2009 to 43rd place with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 143. Moldova has jumped 21 places over the past decade and is now in 45th place on the index with holders able to travel to 121 global destinations visa-free.
Dr. Juerg Steffen , the CEO of Henley & Partners , says: “Investment migration programs help strengthen and diversify the economies of sovereign states, enabling governments to drive capital into domestic development projects, create new employment opportunities, encourage further investment, and improve the lives of ordinary citizens. For investors, the travel mobility afforded by a second passport is unmatched, and the opportunities it provides are unparalleled.”
Download Full Ranking and Read Regional Commentary
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190326005093/en/
Contact:
Media Sarah Nicklin Senior Group PR Manager sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com
Social Media:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
30 Peer-Reviewed Studies Highlight Statistically Significant Health Benefits of Almased16.7.2025 09:15:00 CEST | Press release
Two recent, peer-reviewed clinical studies have found that Almased, a high-protein, low-glycemic meal replacement, delivers significant health benefits ranging from weight loss and improved metabolic health to anti-aging effects and enhanced quality of life. Both reviews synthesize 30 peer-reviewed clinical studies across three decades of scientific research, confirming that Almased is effective and safe for weight reduction, preservation of lean muscle mass, and cardiovascular health. The 2025 review in the American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research highlighted Almased’s efficacy and safety for wide groups of people including individuals seeking weight loss, those with metabolic syndrome or fatty liver, older adults needing to preserve muscle mass, and athletes or healthy-weight individuals who require additional high-quality protein. This review also discusses how Almased’s patented fermentation process produces over 80 bioactive peptides, including 2 times the average daily i
The Future of Connectivity Starts Here: Network X Returns to Paris October 14 - 1616.7.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
Show Reconvenes at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with Global Representation of Industry Leaders and Telco Experts Network X 2025 - the only event that brings the fixed and mobile markets together - returns to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles October 14 - 16. Built for telecom's top players, this annual show drives business model innovation and monetisation of next-generation fixed, mobile, satellite and transport networks through AI and cloud. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716595903/en/ Speaker on Headliners Stage at Network X 2024 New to Network X in 2025 are specialty events designed to deliver expert insights on trending topics including Data Center World and two Expo Stages for Fixed-Line and Mobile. More than 5,500 telco network infrastructure professionals will gather alongside 1,500 telcos to learn from six program tracks highlighting the latest advancements in Fibre, Wi-Fi Networks and Services, IP
Skechers AERO Series Opens New Chapter of Technical Running Innovation16.7.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
New Collection Features an Evolution in Design that Cuts Through the Wind for That Aerodynamic Feel on Every Run Skechers Performance opens a new chapter of running innovation with the arrival of the Skechers AERO series. Named for the aerodynamic feel of the design, Skechers AERO represents the latest evolution of technical running shoes from the brand. The collection is engineered to deliver an exhilarating blend of speed, style and comfort to help runners cut through the wind and push beyond their personal bests while logging miles. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716754749/en/ Introducing the Skechers AERO Series of technical running shoes: Skechers AERO Burst, Skechers AERO Spark, and Skechers AERO Tempo (L-R). “Recently launched in North America and Asia, the AERO Series leverages innovative technologies to elevate our signature comfort that’s now available to runners in Europe,” said Ben Stewart, Vic
4Moving Biotech Enrolls First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of 4P004, a Potential First-in-Class GLP-1 Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis16.7.2025 07:00:00 CEST | Press release
- First patient enrolled in INFLAM MOTION, a global randomized Phase 2a trial including 129 knee osteoarthritis patients - 4P004 to be evaluated over 3 months for dual efficacy: symptom relief and synovial health improvement via contrast-enhanced MRI - Topline results expected in the second half of 2026 4Moving Biotech (4MB), a spin-off of 4P-Pharma dedicated to developing first-in-class treatments that modify the natural course of knee osteoarthritis (OA), today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in Phase 2a clinical trial, INFLAM MOTION. The study will evaluate 4P004, an intra-articular GLP-1 analog, as a potential first-in-class therapeutic candidate for knee osteoarthritis. INFLAM MOTION is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a trial planned to be conducted across Europe, the United States, and Canada. A total of 129 patients worldwide diagnosed with knee OA will be enrolled to evaluate, for the first time in humans, the efficacy of 4P
Belkin Achieves Qi2.2 Certification for Its Upcoming Products, Unlocking the Future of 25W Wireless Charging15.7.2025 19:06:00 CEST | Press release
With Qi2.2 certification, Belkin reinforces its commitment to quality, safety, and performance for the next generation of wireless charging Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced it has received official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its upcoming products. As one of the first accessory brands to deliver Qi2.2-certified devices, Belkin is helping bring the next generation of wireless charging to market – enabling faster wireless charging speeds, broader compatibility, and improved performance for consumers. Belkin’s close partnership with the WPC since 2015 has been instrumental in bringing these advancements to consumers. As an early adopter and long-time contributor to WPC standards, Belkin was selected as one of a small group of trusted manufacturers to test and certify Qi2.2 products ahead of the broader industry rollout. All Belkin products undergo rigorous safety, quality, and performance testing. The comp
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom