2020 has been an unprecedented year with the outbreak of COVID-19. Due to travel restrictions and border closures, there has been a significant impact on international mobility. However, on the bright side, New Zealand passport is now the world’s most powerful passport.
The Passport Index ranks passports based on the amount of visa-free world travel. It compares the passports of the 193 countries. According to Passport Index, the current ranking is as follows:
- New Zealand (129)
- Australia, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, South Korea, Japan (128)
- Sweden, Belgium, France, Finland, Italy, Spain (127)
- Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Lithuania, Norway, Iceland, UK, Canada (126)
- Malta, Slovenia, Latvia (125)
- Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Poland, Hungary, Liechtenstein (124)
- Slovakia (123)
- Cyprus, Croatia, Monaco (121)
- Romania, Bulgaria (120)
- San Marino, Andorra, Uruguay (115)
New Zealand’s proactive and efficient handling of COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to its success as being the world’s most powerful passport. With low number of COVID-19 cases, its citizens are welcome by many nations.
New Zealand passport enables its citizens to travel to 86 countries visa free and 43 countries on arrival.
Following New Zealand, Australian’s passport is ranked second with Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, South Korea and Japan. With an Australian passport, Australian citizens can travel to 85 countries without a visa and 43 countries on arrival.
Canadian’s passport is fourth on the list. It is a powerful passport which allows its citizens to travel to 126 countries.
American passport holders are able to travel to 92 countries. 52 countries being visa free and 40 countries would issue visa on arrival. It is currently ranked 21st with Malaysia.
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