Passport, please: Just how easy is it to travel with your Singapore passport?

Are you holding a Singapore passport? Well then, rejoice because you've got the most travel-friendly passports in the world!

With global travel picking up after the world was struck with the Covid-19 pandemic, different ports are now busy again. In fact, Singapore is expecting 4 to 6 million visitors in 2022, a huge jump from the previous two years. But it’s not only the tourists we can expect at the world’s best airport. Of course, Singaporeans who are itching to get out of the Little Red Dot will also be there. Best thing about travelling? Singaporeans don’t need to worry about visas for most countries, as they hold one of the most powerful passports in the world.

Where does the Singapore passport rank?

Singapore comes in hot at #2 on the Henley Passport Index for the third quarter of 2022. Measuring 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations, it’s a ranking of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. We’re tied with South Korea and just a step behind the top spot held by Japan, with visa-free access to 192 countries. It’s also worth noting that the Singapore passport has consistently been in the top five, so this latest update isn’t much of a shock.

Plus, we all know that Singapore is a safe country. Unsurprisingly, there’s a strong correlation between a nation’s peacefulness and its passport power. All the ones sitting in the top ten of the Henley Passport Index can also be found in the top ten of the Global Peace Index.

I personally hold a Philippine passport, which at the moment ranks 80th. So, would I change my citizenship to get a stronger passport? Why not? That thought has definitely crossed my mind. It’s pretty common for Filipinos to migrate to countries such as Australia, New Zealand or Canada to get dual citizenship. Some even renounce their Filipino citizenship completely.

However, here in Singapore, it’s a lot harder to get PR status, let alone citizenship. But at the end of the day, having a passport from any country in the top 10 wouldn’t be so shabby!

Singaporeans weigh in on their passport power

Curious to find out what Singaporeans think of their passport, I quizzed a few people on their perspectives.

“It’s really interesting how the Singapore passport is ranked number two in the world. There are people who don’t even know where our tiny island is and that we’re an independent country. Being #2 will get more people interested in Singapore and what it can offer.” – Rysha

“I’m very grateful that our passport is ranked #2. This means faster queues (I’ll take the biometric system over physically queuing ANY DAY). And the absence of visa application makes travelling much smoother and an enjoyable experience overall!” – Natasha

“Knowing that I can visit my family in The Netherlands and France for a month without needing any extra paperwork for visas is incredibly comforting for my travel planning.” – Ashe 

“I’m proud to be a Singaporean. We’re a tiny dot on the map with a powerful passport – so impressive. Well done, Singapore, and keep it up!” – Jasmine

“I’m truly humbled and grateful that our passport is ranked #1 and we don’t have to experience the horror stories that come with applying for visas which can really be a chore. The freedom to travel to so many countries is something many Singaporeans have yet to fully take advantage of. Time to start collecting more stamps on my passport!” – Marcus

“We should never underestimate the power of our little red book. It feels so good to walk through customs without a hassle. And don’t get me started on how much time and money we save on visa applications. It’s so convenient!” – Nicole

“Our passport is an outstanding privilege that we shouldn’t take for granted. Not having to worry about visa applications is a boon!” – Sufyan

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However, some are still reluctant to travel

Despite the worldwide access afforded to the citizens of Japan, Singapore and South Korea, international passenger demand in the Asia-Pacific region has only reached 17% of pre-Covid levels, having hovered below 10% for most of the past two years. This is far behind the global trend – Europe and North America have recovered to around 60% of pre-crisis travel mobility levels.

But we’re getting there! Experts say many places should see traffic reach or exceed pre-pandemic levels by next year.

The world’s best passports in 2022

Without further ado, here’s a look at the world’s most coveted passports.

See you at the airport, honeys!