Singapore passport most 'powerful in the world'

The Singapore passport has been ranked as the "most powerful" in the world, the first time an Asian country has topped the list according to the Global Passport Index by global advisory firm Arton Capital.

The ranking is based on a "visa-free score," which tabulates the number of countries a particular passport-holder can travel to without requiring a visa or a visa on arrival.

The tropical island-nation of Singapore topped the list world's strongest passport with a visa-free score of 159, narrowly beating Germany in second with a score of 158 while Sweden and South Korea are tied in third with 157 score. Meanwhile, Japan and the U.K. were among the nations tied in the fourth tier.

Australia and New Zealand were both ranked seventh with a score of 153.

The list is usually dominated by European passports, with Germany holding the top position for the last two years but Paraguay's removal of visa requirements for Singapore propelled it to the top of the list in 2017.

For the first time ever, an Asian country has the most powerful passport in the world. It is a testament of Singapore's inclusive diplomatic relations and effective foreign policy," said Arton Capital managing director Philippe May.

The US passport has taken a tumble in rankings since President Donald Trump took office, following decisions by Turkey and the Central African Republic to revoke visa-free entry for US passport-holders.