Russian occupation in Ukraine has exerted massive influence on global travel freedoms, after many countries opening their borders to Ukrainian refugees. This has also effected the list of world’s most powerful passports.

Since the Russian attack at Ukraine, many countries have either revised their policies or let go visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders completely, meaning Ukraine made a big jump to a record high on the list.

Although this have not effected Russia’s position on the list as yet, the report suggests this is likely to change in the coming months.

Ukraine has risen one place and is now ranked 34th on the index and its nationals can now travel to 192 destinations visa-free (or visa-on-arrival). Russia has dropped four places to 49th, with a score of 117 — a position expected to worsen as visa suspensions and sanctions are formalized.

The world’s most powerful passports in 2022 are:

1. Japan, Singapore (192 destinations)
2. Germany, South Korea (190)
3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (189)
4. Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden (188)
5. France, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom (187)
6. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United States (186)
7. Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Greece, Malta (185)
8. Hungary (183)
9. Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia (182)
10. Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia (181)

The worst passports to hold

Whereas, some countries around the world have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to fewer than 40 countries. These include:

105. North Korea (39 destinations)
106. Nepal and Palestinian territories (37)
107. Somalia (34)
108. Yemen (33)
109. Pakistan (31)
110. Syria (29)
111. Iraq (28)
112. Afghanistan (26)