Henley Passport Index for the year 2022 released

Why in news?

• London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has released the Henley Passport Index for the year 2022, based on exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

About the report

• According to the latest report, even as the world continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan and Singapore top the list of being the most powerful passport in the world for the year 2022. The visa-free score of both these countries is at 192.
• Afghanistan (rank 111) and Iraq (rank 110) continue to be in the ‘worst passports to hold’ category having a visa-free score of 26 and 28 respectively.
• According to the report, Japanese citizens can travel to as many as 192 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival access destinations around the world. Singapore is tied in the first place (with a score of 192) and South Korea ties with Germany in second place (with a score of 190).
• Countries like Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain are tied at the third position with regard to the most powerful passports in the world with a visa-free score of 189.
• India has improved it ranks and is currently placed at 83rd position from the earlier 90th position in the most powerful passport report with a visa-free score of 60.
• USA and the United Kingdom have risen one ranking to be placed at sixth position.
• India has improved it ranks and is currently placed at 83rd in the most powerful passport report with a visa-free score of 60.