Philippine Passport Ranks Higher in 2023 Henley Passport Index
9 March 2023
With visa-free access to a number of destinations as their main criterion, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued the 2023 Henley Passport Index Q1, which ranks the world's most powerful passports.
The Philippines, which previously ranked 80th in 2022, improved its stature as it landed on the 76th spot at this year's most powerful passports list by the IATA.
For the 5th straight year, Japan has been adjudged the most powerful passport in the world. Japanese passport holders can access over 193 destinations without a visa prior to entry, which accounts for a formidable 85 percent of the world. Fellow Asian countries South Korea and Singapore, meanwhile, were tied for the second spot with a score of 192.
The Henley passport index measures and identifies the "direct link between passport strength and access to the global economy."
Top 10 World's Most Powerful Passports
After Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, the countries of Spain and Germany were tied in third place with a score of 190; Luxembourg, Finland, and Italy were tied for fourth with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 destinations.
The countries of Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Austria, meanwhile, have 188 destinations for their passport holders to travel to without a prior visa; France, Ireland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom are in sixth place with 187 destinations.
Taking the seventh spot are the United States, Switzerland, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, with 186 destinations each. It is then followed by the countries of Australia, Canada, Greece, and Malta at the eighth spot with access to 185 destinations.
On the ninth spot are Poland and Hungary, each of which has access to 84 destinations. Completing the top-ten list of countries with the most powerful passports are Lithuania and Slovakia, which both have access to 183 destinations that do not require a prior visa.
Ranking improvement a good indicator of PH's economic power
The official list of the world's most powerful passports is a quick and convenient look at the countries with the most access to the global economy. Most, if not all, of the countries mentioned above are considered wealthy. This means that such countries have vast employment and business opportunities to the destinations that its passport holders are not required a visa before entry.
With the Philippine passport's ranking improvement, it serves as a good indication that the country is economically growing, and Philippine passport holders can access up to 67 countries without the need for a prior visa.
In Asia, Philippine passport holders can either enter without a visa or will only be required upon arrival to the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan*, Singapore, Sri Lanka**, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
In the Americas, Philippine passport holders can visit these countries without a prior visa or are only required upon arrival: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua*, Peru, and Suriname.
In African countries, here are where Philippine passport holders can travel to without a visa or only upon arrival: Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, and Uganda.
In the Middle East, passport-holding Pinoys can visit Armenia, Iran, Israel, and the Palestinian Territory. In Oceania, Filipinos have visa-free access to the countries of Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu*, and Vanuatu. In the Caribbean, finally, passport holders can gain visa-free entry to Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia*, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Philippine Passport Application: A Quick Guide
The Philippine Passport Act of 1996, or Republic Act No. 8239, was legislated to ensure that Filipinos are officially granted the constitutional right to travel and be issued a travel document in the form of a passport, and that obtaining one should be simple and expeditious. With the newest maroon-covered passports, the passport data page culminates with the Machine Readable Zone. This zone is not present in green passports.
Having a valid passport gives a host of benefits besides simply having an easy proof of citizenship (or obtained Filipino citizenship, for that matter), which includes giving you a ticket to the world (literally and figuratively), chance to study abroad, and more work opportunities, among others. To apply, you must fulfill the following requirements to become a passport holder:
Adult Applicants (18 years old and above)
1. Application form
2. PSA-authenticated birth certificate in security paper (Note: if unclear, a copy from the Local Civil Registrar is required)
3. Any valid government-issued ID such as, but not limited to:
Social Security System (SSS) card
Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) card
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver's License
4. If you’re a married female using the last name of your spouse, you are also required to present your PSA-authenticated marriage certificate in security paper or your Report of Marriage.
Meanwhile, if you choose to use your maiden name, a marriage certificate is not required. But requisite supporting documents may be requested from you.
Minor Applicants (below 18 years of age)
1. Application form
2. PSA-authenticated birth certificate in security paper (Note: if unclear, a copy from the Local Civil Registrar is required)
3. A valid School ID or a Certificate of Enrolment with the applicant’s picture and the school’s dry seal (if any)
For the complete guide, also read: Passport Requirements for New Applicants
Aside from the mentioned uses of a Philippine passport, it can also be presented as a valid ID to apply for a home loan application when buying an affordable house and lot for sale.
Lumina Homes, Vista Land's housing arm for more than a decade, is known for providing affordable house and lot provisions to cater to the housing needs of Filipino families, especially among low- to middle-earning homebuyers.
With over 50 key housing communities nationwide, there is a Lumina home that will be suitable for your lifestyle, such as an affordable house and lot in Balanga. Get your house and lot in the Philippines this 2023 and achieve your home investment goals!

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