Dubai - You might be holding it right now
Published: Mon 13 Mar 2017, 11:13 AM
Updated: Tue 21 Mar 2017, 2:08 PM
Sweden has claimed the title of having the most powerful passport in the world in 2017, according to a recent study by Nomad Capitalist.
The Swedish passport bests several G8 countries.
The study ranked each country's passport power in terms of visa-free travel, taxation, perception, dual citizenship and overall freedom.
| Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World |
| 1. Sweden |
| 2. Belgium |
| 3. Italy |
| 4. Spain |
| 5. Ireland |
| 6. Finland |
| 7. Germany |
| 8. Denmark |
| 9. Switzerland |
| 10. Luxembourg |
Source: Nomad Capitalist
Visa-free travel is among the biggest deciding factors in the latest ranking, alongside taxation. The study states that "we believe that no one should be forced to pay tax by virtue of their citizenship alone."
According to the Independent, Swedish passport holders can visit 176 countries without a visa as well as work abroad without paying any tax back home at all. Swedes also received high rankings in the field of overall freedom.
In the Middle East, the UAE passport is once again ranked as the most powerful passport in the region. It is tied with Venezuela at number 70 in the Nomad Capitalist study. UAE passport holders can travel to 122 countries visa-free according to an earlier report.
| Top 5 Most Powerful Passports in the Gulf region |
| 1. United Arab Emirates |
| 2. Kuwait |
| 3. Qatar |
| 4. Bahrain |
| 5. Oman |
In the subcontinent, India ranks at 160 and is tied with the Central African Republic and Djibouti. Indian passport holders can travel to 52 out of 199 countries without a visa.
Another major nation in the region, Pakistan, on the other hand sits at rank 196.
The Philippines is in a five-way tie with Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Tunisia and Cape Verde for the 121st spot.
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