Japanese passport is the strongest in the world, Italian passport off the podium
The Italian passport is confirmed as one of the most powerful in the world, but not enough to be the most powerful
Japan starts 2023 with the world's most powerful passport for the fifth time in a row: the Rising Sun nation's document allows visa-free entry to 193 destinations. This is the figure emerging from the latest Henley Passport Index.
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The incidence of the world's most influential or powerful passports is calculated by the Henley & Partners since 2006. The renowned citizenship consulting firm offers its index every year taking into account sociological, economic and geopolitical changes.
After reopening the borders to the world last Oct. and allowed unrestricted travel for its citizens, the Japanese have come to appreciate-after two years of isolation-the usefulness of their passports, which open doors to almost anywhere in the world. According to the latest available data from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, only 24 million valid Japanese passports were in circulation at the end of 2021. These are down by more than 3 million from the previous year, meaning that fewer than 1 in 5 Japanese people own one.
The ranking of the most powerful passports in 2023
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As mentioned, in first place is confirmed Japan, which rises from 192 to 193 nations accessible without a visa. In second position - tied - are Singapore and South Korea with 192 accessible countries: it is precisely Seoul residents who have made a leap forward by moving with two new nations to the white list, which allowed it to overtake Germany stationary at 190. German passport also joined by Spanish passport, rising from 189 to 190 carefree trips.
Italian passport off the podium
The Italian passport had stood on the podium in 2021, and then slipped to the wooden medal last year. Position confirmed again this year. With 189 destinations that can be reached without a visa, or with the possibility of obtaining a visa on arrival, our passport ranks on par with those of Finland and Luxembourg. Italians are welcomed unimpeded more than Swedes, French, British and even the Swiss and Americans.
The United States is out of the top 20. Americans can travel visa-free to 186 nations, equal to Switzerland, New Zealand and Norway. China provides access to 80, the same as Bolivia. Russia is better, providing smooth access to 118 destinations, while Afghanistan remained the weakest, with access to only 27.
The ranking, published by London-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, uses data from the International Air Transport Association to rank the access of 199 passports to 227 travel destinations.
Where the Italians can't go compared to the Japanese
A nice feature of the report is one that allows you to compare passports and see the complete list of visa-free reachable destinations of individual passports.
Japanese can enter without needing to apply for visas in Azerbaijan, China, India and Mongolia, nations where visas are not available to Italian citizens on arrival.
Passport ranking 2023: last places
Finally, we take a look at which passports are the least relevant in the world, namely. those giving automatic access rights in fewer than 40 countries around the world. In this sad mini ranking we see North Korea with 39 visa-free entries. Further down, Nepal and the Palestinian Territories with 37. Somali passport opens 35 doors and while Yemen's 34. Pakistan stopped instead at 32 countries, while Syria and Iraq are at 30 and 29 respectively.
Closing the line, Confirming the position of 2022, there is Afghanistan: open doors in 27 nations around the world, one more than last year.
