A passport power ranking scores each passport by how easily its holders can travel. The headline number answers one practical question: how many places can I go without sorting out a visa first?
What gets counted
Every destination falls into an access category. Here is how PassRank treats each one:
| Access type | Counted in PassRank score? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | Yes | No visa needed at all |
| Visa on arrival | Yes | Visa issued at the border — no advance paperwork |
| eTA / ETA | Yes | Quick online authorisation (ESTA, eTA, eVisitor) |
| e-Visa | No | Must be applied for and approved before travel |
| Visa required | No | Standard visa needed in advance |
| No admission | No | Entry not permitted |
The PassRank score is simply the count of the three “yes” rows. The current top score is 169 (the UAE) out of a theoretical maximum of 198.
Why rankings disagree
Two indices can rank the same passport differently because they make different choices:
- e-visas: some indices count an easy e-visa as “open access”; PassRank does not, because you still need approval before you fly.
- territories: counting Hong Kong, Macao, Kosovo, Palestine and similar entities separately (or not) shifts totals.
- weighting: some indices weight visa-free above visa-on-arrival; PassRank treats all three “no advance visa” categories equally.
That is why you should read the methodology behind any ranking. Ours is on the methodology page.
Ties and shared ranks
Many passports share the same score — for example, several EU passports all reach 160. PassRank uses dense ranking: tied passports get the same rank, and the next distinct score gets the rank after the count. That is why rank numbers can jump.
Use it as a guide, not gospel
A ranking is a snapshot of a fast-moving system. Visa rules change with diplomacy, security events and reciprocity. Use the full ranking and per-passport profiles to compare, but always verify the current rule with the destination’s official government source before booking.