Taiwan ranked 35th in global passport index

New York, Jan. 11 (CNA) Taiwan passport holders have visa-free access to 143 countries and territories around the world, ranking it 35th in the latest Henley Passport Index published Thursday.

Taiwan's passport fell four places from 31st in the previous survey issued by the London-based consulting firm Henley & Partners in July 2023.

Singapore topped the rankings in the latest index, sharing first place with France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain. Those holding these passports enjoy visa-free access to 194 nations.

Finland, South Korea, and Sweden climbed one place to second, with visa-free access to 193 destinations.

The rankings are slightly deceptive in that place rankings do not account for ties. Though Taiwan's passport ranked 35th, 69 countries had passports with more visa-free access.

The Henley Passport Index compares the visa-free access of 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations. Its first index was issued in 2006.

Austria, Denmark, and Ireland shared third place with the Netherlands, while Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom came in fourth with 191 destinations.

Fifth on the index were Greece, Malta, and Switzerland.

Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates passport holders can visit 106 more places visa-free than they could in 2014, with the country now ranking 11th on the index with 183 destinations.

Afghanistan remained at the bottom with only 28 destinations offering visa-free travel to its passport holders.

The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association.