The 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World (The U.S. Is Not #1)

10. Iceland

If you live in Iceland, you can visit 185 countries without a visa. Iceland is a member of NATO. Its alliance with the United States and European allies makes it subject to travel limitations placed by countries that are unfriendly to the alliance.

9. Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia

Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia are tied for 9th place with access to 186 countries. All three of these countries were ruled by communist countries before achieving their independence. Latvia was under the control of the Soviet Union; Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia, and Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. All three are now members of NATO.

8. Estonia, United Arab Emirates

In 8th place with access to 187 countries, is a tie between Estonia and the United Arab Emirates. Estonia was illegally annexed by the Soviet Union after World War II but achieved its independence when communism collapsed there. It is now a NATO member. The UAE is an oil-rich Persian Gulf state that is diversifying its economy with tourism and high technology investments.

7. Lithuania

Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia, are collectively known as the Baltic States. Having achieved independence from the Soviet Union, they have all joined NATO. A Lithuanian passport will get you into 188 different countries.

6. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, United States

5 countries, including the United States, have access to 189 countries without the necessity of a visa. Some of the places you can’t visit on a U.S. passport without a visa include Afghanistan, Algeria, Belarus, China, Cuba, India, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela.

5. Australia, Greece, Malta, New Zealand

Australia, Greece, Malta, and New Zealand share 5th place with access to 190 countries, visa-free. All four countries are aligned with the United States and other Western powers.

4. Norway, Portugal, Switzerland

Norway, Portugal, and Switzerland are in 4th place. If you carry one of these passports, you’ll have access to 191 countries. Norway and Portugal are NATO members. Switzerland is strictly neutral and its citizens can access countries people from most other nations cannot.

3. Belgium, Denmark, United Kingdom

NATO members Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom share 3rd place, with access to 192 countries. The United Kingdom once ruled about 25% of the planet and many of its former colonies are still in association with it through the British Commonwealth.

2. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden

The second place in the most powerful passports in the world goes to 7 countries: Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden. Residents from neutral countries like Austria and Ireland or the Scandinavian countries like Finland and Sweden are generally well-received around the world. Second-place passports grant access to 193 countries.

1. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain

The prestigious first place for the most powerful passport in the world goes to 6 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain. These are some of the most powerful economies in the world. Countries may wish to make it easier for these passport-holders to visit as tourists and businesspeople because of their potential to bring revenue to other countries. In all, citizens with these top-level passports can visit 194 countries visa-free.

So what countries can’t these passport holders visit without a visa? Taking France for an example, this would include Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bhutan, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea, India, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and Yemen.

The 10 Weakest Passports

In case you’re wondering about the 10 weakest passports, here is a list of the 10 countries offering the least access to other countries. Of course, some of these passports do give citizens access to countries that are off-limits to Westerners.

10. North Korea (42)

9. Libya (40)

8. Palestinian Territories (41)

7. Nepal and Libya (40)

6. Somalia (36)

5. Yemen (35)

4. Pakistan (34)

3. Iraq (31)

2. Syria (29)

1. Afghanistan (28)