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The most powerful passports in the world in 2022, ranked

The most powerful passports in the world in 2022, ranked
Asakusa's Restaurant Alley Opens As Tokyo Awaits TouristsTomohiro Ohsumi / Getty Images
  • The Henley Passport Index ranks the most powerful passports based on how many destinations travelers can access without a visa.
  • Japan held its top rank for the fifth year running, with access to 193 destinations without a visa.

Asia once again dominated the rankings of countries with the most powerful passports, according to a report from the Henley Passport Index.

The index is an annual power ranking of passports determined by the number of destinations a passport holder can enter without a visa and is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority. It includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. The scores are based on how many destinations passport holders can travel to without a visa.

Japan for the fifth year running remains topped the list, as Japanese passport-holders can visit 193 destinations without a visa, two more destinations than last year's report.

Singapore and South Korea tied for second place, both with access to 192 countries. Close behind them are Germany and Spain, providing access to 190 countries.

Passports from 20 other countries provide better access than the US — four more countries than last year. The US held its seventh-place ranking along with Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.

Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by ascending number of visa-free travel options.

The source for all information below is the Henley Passport Index.

10: Travelers can visit 182 countries without a visa if they have a passport from Poland, Lithuania, and Slovakia.

10: Travelers can visit 182 countries without a visa if they have a passport from Poland, Lithuania, and Slovakia.
Krakow, Poland      NurPhoto / Contributor

9: Hungary passport holders can visit 183 destinations.

9: Hungary passport holders can visit 183 destinations.
The Hungarian Parliament Building on the Banks of the Danube at dawn      Getty Images

8. Passport holders from Malta, Greece, the Czech Republic, Canada, and Australia can travel to 185 destinations.

8. Passport holders from Malta, Greece, the Czech Republic, Canada, and Australia can travel to 185 destinations.
Prague launches Czech EU presidency with parade      Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

7. Passport holders from these countries can travel to 186 destinations: Norway, New Zealand, Belgium, and the US.

7. Passport holders from these countries can travel to 186 destinations: Norway, New Zealand, Belgium, and the US.
Aerial view of the Basel medieval old town in Switzerland      @DidierMarti /Getty Images

6. Passport holders from these countries can travel to 187 destinations: The United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland, and France.

6. Passport holders from these countries can travel to 187 destinations: The United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland, and France.
A man with a Portuguese flag marches near a monument      SOPA Images / Getty Images

5. Passport holders from these countries can travel to 182 destinations. Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria.

5. Passport holders from these countries can travel to 182 destinations. Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria.
Copenhagen, Denmark      Stefano Guidi / Contributor

4. You can travel to 189 countries without a visa if you have a passport from Luxembourg, Italy, and Finland.

4. You can travel to 189 countries without a visa if you have a passport from Luxembourg, Italy, and Finland.
Italy Celebrates 76th Republic Day      Simona Granati - Corbis / Contributor

3. Spain and Germany passport holders can travel to 190 destinations.

3. Spain and Germany passport holders can travel to 190 destinations.
Berlin City Palace, Germany      picture alliance / Getty Images

2. South Korea and Singapore's passport holders can travel to 192 destinations.

2. South Korea and Singapore
Singapore skyscrapers      picture alliance / Getty Images

1. Japan's passport holders can visit 193 destinations, making it the most powerful passport in the world.

1. Japan
Asakusa's Restaurant Alley Opens As Tokyo Awaits Tourists      Tomohiro Ohsumi / Stringer

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