Canadian financial advisory firm Arton Capital released the 2017 “Passport Index.” The ROC passport ranked 28th in “Passport Power Rank,” the same as last year, while Singapore took second place to become Asia’s most useful passport.
What Is the “Passport Power Rank”?
The website uses the “world’s most powerful passport ranking” to cite the “Passport Power Rank” in reporting the visa-free situation of various countries’ passports, comparing which country’s passport is the most useful.
The “Passport Power Rank” ranks passports based on the number of countries a passport holder can enter without applying for a visa in advance or obtaining a visa on arrival.
Overview of the 2017 Passport Ranking
According to the “Passport Power Rank,” this year Germany surpassed last year’s US and UK, taking first place with visa-free access to 157 countries. Here is the top portion of the ranking:
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 157 |
| 2 | Singapore, Sweden | 156 |
| 3 | US, UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway | 155 |
| 4 | Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal, Japan | — |
| 5 | Malaysia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand | — |
The Performance of the ROC Passport
The ROC passport’s visa-free countries rose from last year’s 109 to 119, but the ranking remained at 28th.
However, according to last year’s statistics from the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 137 countries and regions grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival treatment to ROC passport holders. The difference between the two figures lies in the different statistical bases and recognition.
Other Asian Rankings
In other Asian regions:
- South Korea: 6th
- Hong Kong: 18th
- ROC: 28th
- Macau: 31st
- Mainland China: 66th
Passports with the Fewest Visa-Free Countries
As for passports with the fewest visa-free countries, most are war-torn regions:
- Afghanistan: last place with 23
- Pakistan: 26
- Iraq: 28
- Syria: 29
Most of these countries are in war or politically unstable situations, so passport power is naturally severely affected.
The Meaning Behind Passport Power
Whether a passport is useful reflects not only travel convenience, but also a country’s diplomatic situation and degree of trust internationally:
- More visa-free countries: indicates the country has good relations with various nations and low risk of traveler overstays.
- Ranking changes: often related to diplomatic breakthroughs and changes in the international situation.
- Practical impact on travelers: visa-free saves visa fees and processing time, making travel freer.
Summary
In the 2017 Passport Index, Germany led with 157 visa-free countries, Singapore and Sweden tied for second, and the ROC passport maintained 28th place with 119 visa-free countries. Although the ranking did not change, the number of visa-free countries increased from 109 to 119, which is still progress.
The power of a passport is a microcosm of a nation’s diplomatic strength. For those who love to travel, a useful passport is the most practical pass to the world.
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