Passport supremacy between Asia and Europe

Asia and Europe have long fought the battle for passport supremacy.  The passport power has been swinging between the two continents since past couple of years in HPI.

Three Asian passports have recaptured the top three spots in the new Henley passport index rankings for the new year 2019. These are Japan (1st), Singapore (2nd) and South Korea (3rd)

• Japan passport takes the first place in world passport rankings, followed by Singapore and South Korea in second and third places.
•  Germany and France remain in third place going into 2019
• UAE passport climbed five places up the rankings, from 27th place at the beginning of 2018, to 22nd place currently.
• Afghanistan and Iraq continue to hold joint last place as the worst passports, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of just 30 countries.
• UK passport drops two places to sixth as a result of Brexit
• Asian passports of Cambodia, Laos have moved up in passport rankings.
• Turkish passport dropped in rankings because of  imposing e-visas to citizens of over 100 countries (including Canada, the UK, Norway, and the US) from Oct 2018, instead of being able visa on arrival.

Problems with Asian passports

Although Asian passports have become the best passports in the world, the problem with them is hostile towards dual citizenship. The top passports Japan and Singapore do not allow dual citizenship or carrying multiple passports for its citizens. Malaysia does not allow dual citizenship while Cambodia permits dual citizenship.

Most European passports are friendly and open towards dual citizenship compared to Asian nations.

South Korea legalized dual citizenship after 60 years in 2010 and effective from 2011 South Korean nationals can be dual citizens.

In Europe Austria, Estonia are more hostile towards dual citizenship. Netherlands and Norway soon to allow dual citizenship in the future.