Singapore has “most powerful passport” in the world: Passport Index

SINGAPORE – Singapore has become the first Asian country to hold the “most powerful passport” in the world.

The Singapore passport edged out Germany to take the top spot after Paraguay removed visa requirements for Singaporeans. 

The top 10 “most powerful passports” in the world have historically been European countries with Germany taking the lead for the past two years, according to a passport index developed by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital.

Singapore attained a visa-free score of 159 in the latest rankings released on Wednesday (Oct 25) by Arton Capital, while Germany obtained a visa-free score of 158.   

Managing director of Arton Capital’s Singapore office Mr Philippe May said: “For the first time ever, an Asian country has the most powerful passport in the world. It is a testament of Singapore’s inclusive diplomatic relations and effective foreign policy.” 

Other Asian passports in the top 20 include South Korea, Japan as well as Malaysia. 

As Singapore climbed the ranks, the United States (US) passport has “fallen down” since US President Donald Trump took office, said the passport index. 

“More recently, Turkey and the Central African Republic revoked their visa-free status to US passport holders,” it added. 

Mr Armand Arton, the founder and president of Arton Capital said that visa-free global mobility has become an important factor in today’s world. 

“More and more people every year invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a second passport to offer better opportunity and security for their families,” he added. 

The passport index ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring and assigning a “visa-free score” according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.