Japan and Singapore have topped the list in the annual Henley & Partners’ Henley Passport Index of 199 countries and Sri Lanka ranked 102 along with Lebanon and Sudan with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 41 countries.
A global passport ranking compiled by Henley & Partners based on exclusive dat a from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest, most accurate travel information database.
According to Henley Passport Index’s updated rankings, there is a “growing divide in mobility — and the resulting access to opportunities — between citizens in the wealthy global north and those in the lower-income global south”
The index noted that holders of a Sri Lankan passport are allowed visa-free entry to 41 countries. Of these 22 countries provide visa on arrival services to Sri Lankan passport holders.
Lebanon is also undergoing a severe economic crisis with forex shortage and the total collapse of its economic sector made it even worse in recent months.
South Korea is tied with Germany in second place (with a score of 190) and Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain are on the third spot (with a score of 189).
While EU countries dominate the top of the list as usual, with France, Netherlands and Sweden climbing one spot to join Austria and Denmark in fourth place (with a score of 188) Ireland and Portugal are in fifth place (with a score of 187).
The Indian passport now ranks 83rd and Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan ranked 103rd, 105th, 108th and 111th positions respectively.
