According to the latest passport index devised by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital, revealed this week, Brunei holds the world's 20th most powerful passport with a visa-free score of 134. This gives the advantage of Brunei Passport holders to move across borders without having to undergoing visa application process.

The index saw Germany take first place with a visa-free score of 157. Singapore and Sweden took the second spot with a visa-free score of 156 while Malaysian passport came in 5th place globally. The third spot was shared by the UK, the US, Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Switzerland and Norway with a visa-free score of 156

Singapore knocked off South Korea to become the highest-ranked Asian passport, Arton Capital said.

Meanwhile Afghanistan sits at the bottom of the index with a score a visa free score (vfs) of only 23. According to Arton Capital, the VFS is based on three factors : the country's visa-free score - which includes visa-free and visa on arrival; the visa-free portion of their score versus visa on arrival; and the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index is used as a tie breaker.

A total of 199 passports, consisting of the 193 United Nations member countries and six territories - Taiwan, Macau (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory and the Vatican - are considered for the index.

Territories annexed to other countries, such as Norfolk Island, the French Polynesia and British Virgin Islands who do not issue their own passports are not considered as destinations, the index said.

The index shows that "the power of passports transcends the holder's identity, opportunity, mobility and overall quality of life. Arton Capital, specializes in investors programmes for residence and citizenships updates the index every year.

United by our diversity, the passport is one of the most important documents we possess", Arton Capital said.

In a similar ranking by the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index released last year, Brunei Darussalam was ranked 23rd in travel freedom with visa-free access to 151 out of 218 countries and territories. Germany topped in Henley & Partners' 2016 index as well.

In that Index, Brunei was also ranked third among Southeast Asian countries, behind Singapore and Malaysia that were placed fifth and 12th respectively in the overall ranking by the Henley & Partners' Visa Restrictions Index.

Brunei's rank of 23 was a drop from 18th place in 2015 and 17th in 2014.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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