The 2021 Henley Passport Index, which ranks global passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa, places Japan in first place when disregarding temporary restrictions. This is the third year in a row that Japan has achieved the top spot, independently or tied with Singapore. The index, which uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demonstrates the Asia Pacific (APAC) region’s dominance, a trend experts predict will continue.
Japanese passport holders have visa-free access to 191 destinations globally. Singapore secures second place, providing access to 190 destinations, while South Korea shares third place with Germany, both with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 destinations. New Zealand and Australia rank seventh and eighth, offering visa-free access to 185 and 184 destinations, respectively.
Historically dominated by EU countries, the UK, and the US, the APAC region’s strength is attributed to its early pandemic recovery. The pandemic has significantly impacted travel for UK and US passport holders, facing restrictions from over 105 countries. US passport holders can currently travel to fewer than 75 destinations, while UK passport holders have access to fewer than 70.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index, highlights the contrast between pre-pandemic global mobility projections and the current reality. The pandemic’s impact underscores the significance of passport power in a world significantly altered.
With the emergence of vaccines, mandatory vaccination for air travel is being considered. IATA’s Travel Pass initiative, a mobile app for storing and managing verified COVID-19 test or vaccine certifications, aims to restore global mobility. However, experts like Dr. Parag Khanna, author of “The Future Is Asian,” believe that pre-pandemic mobility patterns are unlikely to return. Additional protocols will be necessary, even for powerful passports, to regain relatively frictionless mobility.
Dr. Khanna suggests that demographic shifts, particularly the rise of a globally conscious and mobile youth population, will lead to significant changes, shifting from country-centric to individual-centric mobility. Professor Peter J. Spiro from Temple University Law School believes the pandemic dealt a substantial blow to post-globalization mobility, accelerating citizenship acquisition trends among transnational elites seeking to mitigate future shocks.
Henley’s Global Mobility Report 2021 Q1 highlights that limited travel freedom now results not just from social or economic factors but also from insufficient risk management, health preparedness, and monitoring. Global immobility is no longer exclusive to less developed countries.
The report also observes the rise of “digital nomads” with residency rights in multiple countries, capitalizing on the flexibility of remote work arrangements. Notably, while 2020 saw few high-profile visa agreements, the UAE stands out. The UAE’s upward trajectory on the Henley Passport Index is attributed to several mutually reciprocated visa-waiver agreements, including a significant US-brokered agreement with Israel, granting citizens visa-free access. The UAE now holds 16th place with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 173, a significant improvement from its ranking of 62nd in 2006.
Dr. Robert Mogielnicki from the Arab Gulf States Institute suggests potential for further changes in the region, citing Sudan’s normalization of relations with Israel and the possibility of other Arab countries following suit.
Henley & Partners’ CEO, Dr. Juerg Steffen, emphasizes the increased interest in investment migration, driven by the volatility caused by COVID-19. Alternative residence and citizenship are no longer solely about travel convenience but are increasingly viewed as tools for portfolio diversification, global investment access, and creating a legacy for future generations.
He explains that 2020’s unpredictable events have amplified “push factors” like political and economic instability while prioritizing “pull factors” such as stability, safety, quality education, and healthcare. Investment migration is becoming a standard consideration for internationally mobile families and entrepreneurs seeking to manage volatility and build long-term value through enhanced global mobility.