TOP 10 BEST PASSPORTS FOR VISA-FREE TRAVEL
Top 10 Best and Worst passports in the world for travel in Y 2016
German nationals carry the best passports in the world, allowing them visa-free access to 177 countries worldwide, the 2016 Visa Restrictions Index from Henley & Partners has found.
The annual index ranks countries based on the freedom of travel for their citizens.
Regionally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) topped the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for the 2nd year running, increasing its overall ranking on the index by 2 spots to 38 among 199 countries.
Last year the UAE signed a Visa-waiver agreement with the European Union allowing Emiratis Visa-free travel to 36 countries, including the 26 Schengen area states (http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/ ).
The UAE is the 1st Arab country to be granted a European Visa waiver.
UAE nationals are now allowed Visa-free access to 122 countries, the report found.
All the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also recorded increases in this year’s index.
Kuwait (57) and Qatar (60) both increased by six places, with visa-free access to 82 and 79 countries respectively.
Meanwhile Bahrain (65), Oman (67) and Saudi Arabia (69) now offer citizens visa-free access to 73, 71 and 69 countries respectively.
Globally, there was significant movement in this year’s index, with only 21 of the 199 countries listed remaining in the same rank.
No country however, dropped more than 3 positions, indicating that overall, Visa-free access is improving around the world, the report said.
The Managing Partner of Henley & Partners in Dubai Marco Gantenbein said: “The world is becoming increasingly globalized, mobile and interdependent, however, there continues to be a huge disparity in the levels of travel freedom between countries.
“Visa requirements reflect strongly on each country’s relationships with others and take into account diplomatic relationships between the countries, reciprocal visa arrangements, security risks, and the risks of visa and immigration rules violations.”
TOP 10 BEST PASSPORTS FOR VISA-FREE TRAVEL
Score reveals countries and territories citizens can visit without a Visa
1. Germany
Score: 177
2. Sweden
Score: 176
3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom
Score: 175
4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, United States
Score: 174
5. Austria, Japan, Singapore
Score: 173
6. Canada, Ireland, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland
Score: 172
7. Greece, new Zealand
Score: 171
8. Australia
Score: 169
9. Malta
Score: 168
10. Hungary, Czech Republic, Iceland
Score: 167
TOP 10 WORST PASSPORTS FOR VISA-FREE TRAVEL
1. Afghanistan
Score: 25
2. Pakistan
Score: 29
3. Iraq
Score: 30
4. Somalia
Score: 31
5. Syria
Score: 32
6. Libya
Score: 36
7. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, Sudan
Score: 37
8. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen
Score: 38
9. Bangladesh, Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka
Score: 39
10. Burundi, North Korea, Myanmar
Score: 42
By Aarti Nagraj
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