Oman climbs Henley Passport Index rankings
Published: 09:07 AM,Jul 24,2024 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 24,2024
Oman climbs Henley Passport Index rankings
Muscat: In a notable advancement, Oman has ascended seven places to secure the 58th position in the Henley Passport Index for the first half of 2024, based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Previously ranked 65th in 2023, Oman's passport now offers visa-free access to 86 destinations, up from 82.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports worldwide by the number of destinations their holders can visit without requiring a prior visa. This recent improvement highlights Oman's increasing global mobility and connectivity.
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) achieved a significant milestone by entering the top ten for the first time. Since the index's inception in 2006, the UAE has added an impressive 152 destinations, bringing its visa-free score to 185 and rising 53 places from 62nd to 9th position. Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, attributed this rapid ascent to the UAE government's concerted efforts to establish the country as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment.
Following the UAE in the GCC rankings, Qatar holds the 46th position with visa-free access to 107 countries. Kuwait is ranked 49th, allowing visa-free travel to 99 destinations, while Saudi Arabia and Bahrain occupy the 56th and 57th positions, with access to 88 and 87 destinations, respectively.
Globally, the Singaporean passport is deemed the most powerful, offering visa-free access to 195 countries. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain share the second position with access to 192 destinations. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden rank third with 191 destinations. The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland occupy the fourth spot with 190 destinations, while Australia and Portugal share the fifth position with 189.
The United States has dropped to eighth place, granting visa-free access to 186 countries. India ranks 82nd, allowing citizens to travel to 58 countries without a visa, including popular destinations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Pakistan is positioned at 100th with access to 33 countries, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with visa-free access to only 26 destinations.
Christian Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners, emphasized the growing disparity in global mobility. 'The global average number of destinations travelers can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, the mobility gap between the top and bottom of the index is now wider than ever,' he stated.
The Most Powerful Passports for 2024:
1. Singapore (195 destinations)
2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192)
3. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191)
4. Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)
5. Australia, Portugal (189)
6. Greece, Poland (188)
7. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta (187)
8. United States (186)
9. Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates (185)
10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (184)
With these advancements, Oman is poised for further growth in global mobility and international cooperation.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports worldwide by the number of destinations their holders can visit without requiring a prior visa. This recent improvement highlights Oman's increasing global mobility and connectivity.
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) achieved a significant milestone by entering the top ten for the first time. Since the index's inception in 2006, the UAE has added an impressive 152 destinations, bringing its visa-free score to 185 and rising 53 places from 62nd to 9th position. Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, attributed this rapid ascent to the UAE government's concerted efforts to establish the country as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment.
Following the UAE in the GCC rankings, Qatar holds the 46th position with visa-free access to 107 countries. Kuwait is ranked 49th, allowing visa-free travel to 99 destinations, while Saudi Arabia and Bahrain occupy the 56th and 57th positions, with access to 88 and 87 destinations, respectively.
Globally, the Singaporean passport is deemed the most powerful, offering visa-free access to 195 countries. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain share the second position with access to 192 destinations. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden rank third with 191 destinations. The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland occupy the fourth spot with 190 destinations, while Australia and Portugal share the fifth position with 189.
The United States has dropped to eighth place, granting visa-free access to 186 countries. India ranks 82nd, allowing citizens to travel to 58 countries without a visa, including popular destinations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Pakistan is positioned at 100th with access to 33 countries, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with visa-free access to only 26 destinations.
Christian Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners, emphasized the growing disparity in global mobility. 'The global average number of destinations travelers can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, the mobility gap between the top and bottom of the index is now wider than ever,' he stated.
The Most Powerful Passports for 2024:
1. Singapore (195 destinations)
2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192)
3. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191)
4. Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)
5. Australia, Portugal (189)
6. Greece, Poland (188)
7. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta (187)
8. United States (186)
9. Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates (185)
10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (184)
With these advancements, Oman is poised for further growth in global mobility and international cooperation.