Russian passport ranks 50th in Henley Passport Index, down from 46th in January
In short
The Russian passport ranks 50th in the Henley Passport Index compiled by Henley & Partners, with visa-free access to 114 destinations. RIA Novosti said it was 46th in January, and RBC said Russia has lost four positions since then.
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The Russian passport ranks 50th in the world in the Henley Passport Index, compiled by the consulting company Henley & Partners, TASS, RBC and RIA Novosti reported on 21 October. According to the ranking, Russians can enter 114 destinations without a visa. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In January the Russian passport was in 46th place, RIA Novosti wrote. RBC said that Russia has lost four positions since January, even though the number of available visa-free destinations rose to 114. [ 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti also described the top of the ranking. The leader, whose name is missing from the article text, offers visa-free access to 193 countries. Second place is shared by South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, among others, with visa-free entry to 188 countries. Sweden is third with 187 countries. [ 3 ]
Eleven countries follow with 186 visa-free destinations each: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain. Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland come next, with entry to 185 countries without a visa. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The documents report the ranking as a data release and give no assessment of its consequences. They show Russia's position and visa-free count falling against a list of countries with access to 185 to 193 destinations.
Key facts
- The Russian passport ranks 50th in the Henley Passport Index, compiled by the consulting company Henley & Partners. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Russians can travel without a visa to 114 destinations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- In January the Russian passport was 46th in the ranking. [ 3 ]
- RBC wrote that Russia lost four positions since January despite a rise in the number of visa-free destinations to 114. [ 2 ]
- The leader of the ranking, whose name is missing from the article text, offers visa-free access to 193 countries. [ 3 ]
- South Korea and the United Arab Emirates share second place, with visa-free entry to 188 countries; Sweden is third with 187. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How many visa-free destinations Russia had in January. RBC says the number rose to 114, but none of the documents gives the earlier figure.
- Which country leads the ranking and who shares second place with South Korea and the UAE. Some country names are missing from the article text of RIA Novosti.