Hong Kong passport ranks 15th globally, rising 3 places in visa-free access index

Hongkongers hold the world’s 15th most powerful passport, up three places from last year, according to an index measuring visa-free access.The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport offers visa-free access to 171 destinations, according to this year’s Henley Passport Index released last week. Singapore retained the top ranking for the third consecutive year, with its passport granting its citizens visa-free entry to 192 destinations.However, data from Hong Kong’s Immigration Department shows that 174 countries and territories currently grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to holders of the city’s passport, which remains valid for travel to all countries worldwide.Another passport commonly held by Hongkongers born before the 1997 handover – the British National (Overseas) or BN(O) passport – is not included in the index.The Hong Kong passport also trails behind Japan and South Korea in Asia, which share second place in the world rankings with visa-free access to 188 destinations, “reinforcing Asia’s long-standing leadership at the top of the global mobility rankings”, said London-headquartered firm Henley & Partners, which specialises in residence and citizenship planning.The index is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, the global trade body for airlines, and compiled by Henley & Partners’ research team.