The world’s most powerful passports in 2024 revealed: European countries dominate the top 20, but it’s the UAE that’s No.1, while the UK and the U.S slide further down the ranking

The world’s most powerful passports for 2024 have been revealed – and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tops the charts for the fourth year in a row.

The global ranking indicates the number of countries citizens around the world can enter visa-free. Those living in the UAE have access to more than 90 per cent of the world and are able to visit 133 countries visa-free and 47 by virtue of a visa on arrival.

The rest of the top 20 is dominated by European countries, with 19 of the top 20 most powerful countries located in Europe. 

Spain overtakes Germany (5th) to become the second most powerful passport in the world, while Finland jumps into third place ahead of France (4th), Belgium (6th) and Italy (7th). France’s passport remains the strongest of the G20 nations. 

The UK ontinues to slide down the ranking, dropping 10 places from 22nd to 32nd in 2024. UK passport holders are able to visit 125 countries visa-free and 49 by virtue of a visa on arrival. It last held a place in the top 10 in 2017.  

The USA also sees its passport fall further in the index, falling from 27th to 38th. U.S citizens can visit 123 countries without a visa and 50 by virtue of a visa on arrival. The U.S last held a top 20 ranking in 2019. 

Arton Capital, which produced the ranking, says in a statement: ‘With the new Trump administration incoming, it remains to be seen what steps the U.S will take to stop the downgrade of its once-great passport. Currently the weakest passport in the G7 group of nations, Trump’s incoming administration has all the motivations to make the U.S passport great again.’ 

However, the American passport remains more powerful than its ‘greatest competitor’, China, whose passport ranks at 110 in the power index. 

South Korea’s passport is the strongest in Asia, despite falling from 17th to 21st, compared to last year’s ranking. Japan (25th) and Singapore (30th) are the next most powerful Asian passports. 

Further west in central Asia, Kazakhstan (114th) and Uzbekistan (140th) each climb this year’s ranking, in a trend continued from previous years. 

In the Middle East, conflict continues to negatively impact the mobility scores of the countries in the region, remarked Arton Capital, with governments tightening travel restrictions and visa issuances. 

Earlier this year, the statement points out, Schengen nations warned citizens against travelling to and from Israel and Palestine, while Israel temporarily stopped issuing visas to humanitarian workers.’ 

Hrant Boghossian, co-founder of the ranking, says: ‘The World Openness Score remained flat this year – the post-Covid recovery jump we noticed in the past few years is truly over.

‘Unsurprisingly, European passports are overwhelmingly the best ranked, ahead of larger economies like the United States and China. Nearly all countries in the Balkans experienced growth in their mobility this year, a positive trend in the region we hope will continue.

‘Geopolitical factors including elections and conflicts continue to influence global mobility. Despite this, we are still seeing countries collaborate and governments recognise the opportunities that visa-free agreements represent.’