Passports

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Here are the most powerful passports in the world

There’s a reason South Africa’s passport is called the Green Mamba.

Passports

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If you’re lucky enough to possess these passports – and a penchant for overseas travel – the world can be your playground.

Travelling to exotic foreign destinations, exploring the grandeur of the world and its many different cultures; it’s a dream held by most – an innate human calling for discovery. Still, in order to circumnavigate the earth’s majesty, one is compelled to persevere through and beyond political boundaries.

The single greatest key which unlocks the door between home and the great world outside is an official government document, certifying identity and citizenship; the passport.

Some passports are far more valuable than others. The Henley Passport Index, which is the most trusted authority on the matter, has recently compiled and released its global rankings. Naturally, the greater number of destinations afforded to the traveller by virtue of their passports – sans Visa – makes the document that much more respected.

Together with the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), Henleys has investigated data from 199 passports and 227 possible travel destinations, to compile a comprehensive report.

The top ten passports in the world

Image by The Henley Passport Index

If you happen to hold one of the following passports, international travel should be a breeze. Topping the list is Japan, Singapore and South Korea – all on 189 points.

Germany is a close second with 188 points, followed by Denmark, Finland, France, Italy and Sweden. Possessing a Luxembourg passport – scored at 186 points – is also good for the avid traveller. Generally, European countries dominate the top rankings.

South Africa: Green Mamba strikes back

Image by The Henley Passport Index

There’s a reason South Africa’s passport is called the Green Mamba; it’s green and it’s also deadly to travel prospects. The Henley Passport Index has proven this, once more. The South African passport ranks 50th out of 104 and shares the dubious podium with Belize. It’s not all doom and gloom though – the Green Mamba hasn’t lost any ground this year.

It’s beaten by African counterparts, Mauritius and Seychelles, and comes in firmly at third place for the continent.

Bottom of the barrel

Image by The Henley Passport Index

At the bottom end of the scale are war-torn countries, which are subject to travel restrictions and embargoes. Afghanistan and Iraq have the least ‘mobile’ passports in the world, followed closely by Somalia and Syria.