170 countries are waiting for you: the Israeli passport registers a historic leap

Singapore has jumped to the top of the ranking of the world’s most powerful passports, according to the Henley & Partners annual report published today. The Singaporean passport allows free entry to 196 countries, placing the small country at the top of the world leader in freedom of movement.

In this year’s ranking, Japan is placed in second place with entry to 193 countries, followed by European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Finland together with South Korea, with entry to 192 countries.

According to a report by Henley & Partners, the Israeli passport registered a significant increase this year, from 24th place in 2022 to 19th place now. Israeli citizens can now enter 170 countries without the need for a visa – an increase of four countries compared to last year.

According to the company, the “Abraham Agreements”, the visa-free entry agreement to the US and other bilateral agreements have contributed to a jump in the number of countries that Israeli residents can enter.

China’s rise is particularly noticeable, jumping from 94th place in 2015 to 60th place now. In contrast, the USA has retreated from second place in the 2015 ranking to ninth place in the current ranking.

According to experts from Henley & Partners, the American trend of “inward convergence” and separatist policies have contributed to weakening the status of the American passport.

Following the corona crisis and the political instability, more citizens – mainly Americans – are requesting additional citizenship. 21% of the applicants for dual citizenship in the last year were from the USA, followed by Turkey, the Philippines, India and the United Kingdom.

At the other end of the ranking, Afghanistan is placed last – with the possibility of entering only 26 countries. Syria is in the first place with 27 countries, and Iraq is in 104th place with 31 countries.