Montenegro ranks 41st in the world according to the Henley Passport Index, reflecting an improvement compared to 2023.

Holders of the Montenegrin passport can now travel to 128 destinations visa-free, as reported by Henley & Partners, which has published this index for 19 years.

The Henley Passport Index ranks global passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without a visa. The index includes 199 passports and 227 destinations, offering users comprehensive and reliable information on global mobility.

Montenegrin citizens can enter all European countries without a visa, with the exception of Great Britain. Additionally, passengers with a Montenegrin passport can visit nearly all South American countries, as well as Russia, Costa Rica, Greenland, Madagascar, and more without a visa.

Despite the progress made by Montenegro, this is not its highest ranking regarding passport power. In 2013, Montenegro was at 39th place, and it reached 40th in 2014. The lowest recorded position was between 2006 and 2009, when it ranked 62nd.

In the regional context, Slovenia is at the top with a 10th place (184 destinations without a visa), followed by Croatia in 11th place (183 destinations without a visa).

Serbia holds the 34th position and its passport provides visa-free access to 140 destinations. Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 43rd with access to 123 destinations without a visa.

The USA’s Declining Position, Singapore’s Passport Ranks First

The United States continues its long-term decline in the ranking of the most powerful passports.

According to the Henley Passport Index, the United States currently ranks 8th. In January 2024, it had climbed to 7th position, compared to 8th in the previous year. Ten years ago, in 2014, the US shared the top spot with Great Britain.

As of now, American passport holders can access 186 destinations without a visa. In contrast, citizens of Singapore, who hold the top-ranking passport, enjoy visa-free access to 195 destinations out of a total of 227 worldwide.

Places 2 through 4 are shared by France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain, each providing visa-free access to 192 destinations. A group of seven nations—including Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden—now holds 3rd place with access to 191 destinations. The United Kingdom ranks 4th alongside Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, all offering access to 190 destinations without a visa.

The lower position of the United States is attributed to a lack of reciprocal agreements, according to Henley & Partners’ assessment. While US passport holders can enter 186 destinations, only 45 other nationalities can access the US without a visa, resulting in a much lower score on the Henley Openness Index compared to its 8th place on the Henley Passport Index. This disparity is the second largest globally, following Australia and slightly preceding Canada.

Kristian Kaylin, President of Henley & Partners, notes, “The general trend over the past two decades shows that the global average number of destinations accessible without a visa has nearly doubled, from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024.”

However, he adds that the mobility gap between top-ranking and low-ranking countries has widened significantly, with top-ranked Singapore offering visa-free access to a record number of 169 more destinations than Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Passport Ranks as the Weakest Globally

The Afghan passport remains the weakest worldwide, losing access to another destination in the last six months. Afghan citizens can only travel to 26 countries without a visa, marking the lowest score ever recorded in the history of the 19-year index.

The most notable improvement was seen by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which broke into the top 10 for the first time, adding 152 destinations since the 2006 index. The UAE now offers visa-free access to 185 destinations, climbing an impressive 53 places over that period, reaching 9th place.

Jurg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, stated, “The UAE’s rise is a result of deliberate efforts to establish itself as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment. Our research consistently demonstrates a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity. Nations with higher visa-free scores tend to have higher GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and more robust international trade relations.”

Over the last decade, Venezuela recorded the most significant decline, falling 17 places from 25th to 42nd position on the Henley Passport Index.