Global mobility has a new passport superstar

The Henley Passport Index has been analysing travel data since 2006 to provide a quarterly ranking of passports based on the number of countries that its holders can travel to without a visa.

The index ranks 199 countries against 227 travel destinations using data from the International Air Transport Authority.

For the last five years Japan has topped the leader board but the most recent rankings for 2023 have unveiled a new frontrunner - Singapore.

Of the 227 destinations assessed, Singaporean passport holders can travel to an impressive 192 countries without requiring a visa. Closely following in joint second place with a score of 190 out of 227 are Germany, Italy and Spain. Japan has dropped to joint third place alongside Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden.

The UK is currently sitting in fourth place with Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands. Holders of a UK passport are able to enter 188 out of the 227 assessed countries without a visa. It is worth noting, however, that permission to enter a country does not translate to a right to live and work there and anything other than a visit will usually still require a visa.

For international travellers, the British passport remains one of the most effective. Many visa routes in the UK can be a path to settlement and subsequently naturalisation as British. A person with settled status who has been free from immigration control for at least 12 months and who has resided continuously in the UK for five years may qualify for naturalisation provided they meet the criteria set out in the British Nationality Act 1981. Those married to a British citizen can apply immediately upon obtaining settled status provided all other relevant criteria under the Act are met.

Those born in the UK who are not automatically British may be eligible to register as British depending on when they were born and their parents’ circumstances. There are various other niche circumstances that may render an individual eligible to register as British.

When it comes to children under the age of 18 years, there are various routes to registration as British. The Secretary of State for the Home Department also has a very wide discretion to register any child on application as British depending on their individual circumstances.

Our immigration team are able to advise on naturalisation and registration as British and have experience in complex nationality matters.

We would be happy to discuss your British citizenship queries so please get in touch to see how we can help.