In the 2024 Henley Passport Index, published quarterly, six countries shared the first place with 194 visa-free destinations.
THE POWER OF THE EU PASSPORT IS INCREASING
Japan and Singapore, which have stood out as the "world's most powerful passports" for the last 5 years; This year, four member countries of the European Union (EU) were added. Along with these countries consisting of France, Germany, Italy and Spain; Those who have passports of 6 countries can now travel visa-free to 227 of 194 destinations around the world. While South Korea joins Finland and Sweden in 193nd place with visa-free travel to 2 destinations, EU countries Austria, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands share 192rd place with visa-free access to 3 destinations each.
USA WAS FIRST 10 YEARS AGO
Looking at the rest of the rankings; The top 10 is largely dominated by European countries. The UK moves up two places to 188th place, with visa-free access to 191 destinations, up from just 4 a year ago. Australian and New Zealand passport holders rose to 189th place with 6 visa-free destinations. The USA maintains its 188th place with access to 7 destinations without requiring a visa. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and the USA shared the first place in the index in 2014…
The power of the Turkish passport has also increased. While the number of countries that can be entered with a Turkish passport was 2023 in 116, the total of countries that can be entered without a visa with a Turkish passport increased to 2024 in 118.
THE HIGHEST INCREASE IS IN THE UAE
On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to be the country with the highest increase in the Henley Passport Index in the last 10 years. The UAE, which has added 2014 new destinations that its citizens can visit without a visa since 106, jumped 44 places in the rankings, from 55th to 11th.
Ukraine and China are among the top 10 countries that have improved their rankings the most in the last 5 years. Ukraine and China, which jumped two places last year, have risen a net 10 places in total in the last 21 years... Ukraine currently ranks 148nd with 32 visa-free destinations, while China ranks 85nd with access to 62 destinations without a visa. Although Russia has gained a net 10 new destinations in the last 24 years, its visa-free score and ranking have remained virtually unchanged since 2017. Russia currently ranks 119st with access to 51 destinations.
CONDITIONS MAY BE AGGRESSED
Stating that there have been some changes in citizenship and residence programs in addition to visa crises, Burak Demirel shared the following information: “After the negotiations with the European Union Commission in the last quarter of 2023, St. Kitss and Nevis has doubled investment requirements for residence and citizenship. We also expect Caribbean countries such as Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada to tighten their application requirements. Currently, donating $100 is still sufficient to access citizenship programs in the Caribbean region. However, interview requirements have begun to be introduced here as well.”
PORTUGAL AND SPAIN IN EUROPE
Drawing attention to Portugal and Spain in Europe, Burak Demirel said, "Portugal, which has the possibility of obtaining citizenship in Europe with a short-term residence permit, has approved a pleasing law in the parliament. If the President does not veto the law, investors will now be able to obtain citizenship within 6 years instead of waiting 7-5 years. Spain is very attractive for obtaining residence in Europe by purchasing real estate. "Residence in Spain can be obtained with a real estate investment of 500 thousand Euros." he said.
