The New Zealand passport has risen to the top spot in the Passport Index, which serves as an interactive ranking tool comparing the access granted by the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories.
This real-time global ranking of the world’s passports is updated frequently as new visa waivers and changes are implemented. The Passport Index, presented by Arton Capital, employs a three-tier method to determine each passport’s rank. Factors such as mobility scores, visa requirements, electronic travel authorization, and a world openness score significantly influence these rankings.
The travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have notably reshaped visa-free travel dynamics. Currently, New Zealand holds the top position on the passport index, offering visa-free access or visa on entry to 128 countries. Notably, Japan follows closely in second place, also scoring 128, alongside other countries such as Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, South Korea, and Australia. Countries like Sweden, Belgium, France, Finland, Italy, and Spain all secure third place with a score of 127.
European nations predominantly occupy the top ten rankings, benefiting from continued access to the Schengen ‘free movement’ zone, which has experienced minimal COVID-19 restrictions.
The United States currently ranks 21st in the passport rankings, achieving a score of 92. To explore the complete list, please visit the Passport Index website here. Additionally, this platform allows users to delve into the fascinating world of passports, offering insights into designs and sorting options by country, region, and color.
