A new list of the world\u2019s most and least powerful passports has been released, ranking them for the ease of travel they offer.<\/p>\n
The latest edition of the Passport Index by Arton Capital ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring, assigning a \u201cvisa-free score\u201d according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.<\/p>\n
Regionally, the UAE tops the GCC ranking with a visa-free score of 122 (and a global rank of 26), followed by Kuwait (visa-free score of 81), and Qatar with a score of 77.<\/p>\n
Not surprisingly, the lowest-scoring MENA countries on the list were found to be Iraq and Syria.<\/p>\n
Marshall Islands saw the biggest change in the last year, adding 35 countries to its visa-free score. Palau and Micronesia followed with 34 additional countries, while Solomon Islands and Tuvalu added 33.<\/p>\n
John Hanafin, CEO of Arton Capital said: \u201cThe desire to improve opportunity and security transcends borders. As such, having a second citizenship has never been more relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent years, citizenship by investment has become a $2bn industry, with over 20,000 investors seeking a second residency or citizenship around the globe every year.<\/p>\n
The index also added a new World Openness Score which tracks the progression of freedom of mobility across the globe. The world openness score rose to 17,948 in the first few days of 2017 from 17,925 in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis trend shows opening of borders but will it continue? With the recent backlash against globalisation and ongoing immigration issues, the World Openness Score may be in danger of decline,\u201d the report added.<\/p>\n
1. Germany<\/strong> 2. Singapore, Sweden<\/strong> 3. Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, UK, US<\/strong> 4. Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal, Japan<\/strong> 5. Malaysia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand<\/strong> 6. Greece, South Korea, Australia<\/strong> 7. Czech Republic, Iceland<\/strong> 8. Hungary<\/strong> 9. Malta, Poland<\/strong> 10. Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia<\/strong> 1. Afghanistan<\/strong> 2. Pakistan<\/strong> 3. Iraq<\/strong> 4. Syria<\/strong> 5. Somalia<\/strong> 6. South Sudan, Ethiopia<\/strong> 7. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh<\/strong> 8. Iran, Eritrea, Sudan<\/strong> 9. Palestinian territories, Nepal, Libya<\/strong> 10. Lebanon<\/strong> 1. UAE<\/strong> 2. Kuwait<\/strong> 3. Qatar<\/strong> 4. Bahrain<\/strong> 5. Oman<\/strong> 6. Saudi Arabia<\/strong>
\nVisa-free score: 157<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 156<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 155<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 154<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 153<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 152<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 151<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 150<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 149<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 148<\/p>\nTop 10 least powerful passports<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nVisa-free score: 23<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 26<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 28<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 29<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 30<\/p>\n
\nVisa free score: 34<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 35<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 36<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 37<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 38<\/p>\nTop 10 most powerful passports in the GCC region\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nVisa-free score: 122
\nGlobal rank: 26<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 81
\nGlobal rank: 49<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 77
\nGlobal rank: 50<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 72
\nGlobal rank: 53<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 69
\nGlobal rank: 55<\/p>\n
\nVisa-free score: 66
\nGlobal rank: 57<\/p>\n