World's Most Powerful Passport Revealed

When it comes to travelling the world, you might be shocked to learn that some passports are far more powerful than others. Global consulting firm Henley & partners have now revealed the countries of the world that allow residents the most access to the world, and those countries where citizens are continually restricted and barred from travelling in certain regions.

Their Visa Restriction Index ranks countries globally, based on the travel freedoms enjoyed by citizens. The countries are scored, which is calculated based on visa regulations across the world and how many citizens can travel to without a visa.

All sharing the top spot with the power to access a whopping 174 countries visa-free are the US, the UK, Sweden, Finland and Germany, reported the Daily Mail.

On the other end of the scale though, it is Afghanistan that sits at the bottom of the pile in 94th place, with citizens only able to access 28 countries without having to prior obtain a visa.

Henley and Partners commented: “In today's globalized world, visa restrictions play an important role in controlling the movement of foreign nationals across borders.

“Almost all countries now require visas from certain non-nationals who wish to enter their territory.

“Visa requirements are also an expression of the relationships between individual nations, and generally reflect the relations and status of a country within the international community of nations.”

There are however some strange patterns among some of those countries with high visa restrictions. Take for example Pakistan which came in at number 92 on the list, with citizens able to access 32 countries visa-free. Among the list of places people from Pakistan are free to travel to include Haiti and Trinidad and Tobego. However, rather oddly, citizens are unable to step over the border into neighbouring India or Iran without first obtaining a visa.