UGLOBAL.COM
Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s
largest and most comprehensive database of travel
information and is enhanced by extensive in-house
research.
According to Henley’s latest data, Japan has the
highest-ranking passport in 2018, with visa-free
access to 189 destinations. Coming in second
was a tie between Germany and Singapore, at 188
destinations. For Asia, South Korea’s passport remains
strong, coming in third place (along with Finland,
France, Italy, Spain and Sweden) at 187 visa-free
destinations. Other key Asian countries, however, do
not perform well. Thailand is ranked 64th with visa-
free access to 76 destinations, Indonesia is 67th with
71 destinations, China is 68th with 70 destinations, the
Philippines is 70th with 66 destinations, and Vietnam
is 84th with 51 destinations.
Most countries in Southeast Asia have shown
an improvement in their visa-free access in 2018
compared with the prior year. Indonesia was a very
individual climber in the region, rising in the ranks
by an impressive 12 positions over the past year.
Thailand climbed three positions and the Philippines
by five. Other countries that improved their ranks
include Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and
Timor-Leste.
WORLD ECONOMY IS GLOBALIZED
As the world economy is becoming increasingly
globalized, the need for greater visa-free access is
growing steadily. Across the economic spectrum,
individuals want to transcend the constraints
imposed on them by their country of origin, and
access business and financial, career and lifestyle
opportunities on a global scale.
Today, a person of talent and means doesn’t need t