The ranking of the Japan passport indicates the number of countries to which visa-free or visa-on-arrival access is granted. Accordingly, with travel freedom to hundreds of countries, the Japanese passport is very powerful.

In the Guide Passport Ranking Index, the Japan passport ranks third. This ranking is based on the freedom of entry the passport provides to its holders. The passport’s high ranking is attributed to visa-free access to 191 countries, though visas are required for travel to 21 countries globally. The criteria for the ranking can vary across research centers, but it generally considers the number of countries the holder can visit without a visa.

How Are Passports Ranked?

In passport rankings, the primary factor is the number of countries that can be visited without a visa. The procedures that all countries in the world apply to citizens of other countries for crossing their borders influence these rankings. Therefore, the power of a passport is indicated by the number of countries that allow entry without a visa.

The determination of the world’s most powerful passport is based on the number of countries that can be visited visa-free by its holders. The fundamental basis of the ranking, visa-free access, means no prior visa requirement is needed for entry into a country. The list of the most powerful passports, regularly published annually, is always updated.

Research on these rankings utilizes data such as countries’ flight information, visa policies, economic collaborations, etc. The number of countries that allow entry to the holder of a passport, either visa-free or with a visa upon arrival, is calculated. This number is a key element in the Japan passport ranking. The higher the number reached, the more powerful it is considered.

Visa-free travels mean the citizen can cross the borders of the respective country without a visa. Visa-on-arrival is also among the criteria for the ranking. This procedure allows individuals to obtain a visa at the entry or border point of the country. An Electronic Travel Authorization, or eTA, must be obtained online.

The ranking is conducted from the highest to the lowest number. If more than two passports reach the same number, other factors need to be examined. Depending on the influencing factors, the Japanese passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world as of 2023.

Countries with Visa-Free Access for Japanese Passport

According to the Japan passport ranking data, visa-free travel is possible to 191 countries. The list, which includes European Union countries, contains Angola, Germany, Belarus, Belgium, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Aruba, Anguilla, Argentina, Bahamas, Albania, Belize, and more.

Countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Curacao, Estonia, Ecuador, Armenia, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Fiji, and others are also accessible without a visa for Japanese passport holders.

What to Consider in Visa-Free Entries?

Visits to countries like South Africa, Greenland, Georgia, Croatia, Haiti, Guatemala, Gabon, France, Ireland can be done without a visa. However, there are some important considerations for traveling to these countries:

• Remember that the allowed stay duration can vary; always check the current stay limits.
• Ensure that the purpose of your visit falls under visa exemption.
• Have all the necessary documents ready for visa-free entry.
• Know what to do if your stay duration changes while in the country.

By paying attention to these points, you can avoid problems during your travels. The passport, which allows visa-free entry to 143 countries, requires a visa for certain countries.

Countries Requiring Visa-on-Arrival for Japanese Passport

The travel freedom provided by the Japanese passport contributes significantly to the country’s development in terms of new investment opportunities, business, and education. Agreements made, especially for tourist visits, have an impact on the economies of these countries. Therefore, the Japan passport ranking also proves the country’s financial strength. These data list the countries where entry with a visa-on-arrival is available for Japanese passport holders.

What is Visa-on-Arrival?

Visa-on-arrival refers to the type of visa that can be obtained at the border of the visiting country. It’s a tourist visa for specific days, obtained due to agreements between countries, for citizens traveling abroad. Japanese passport holders can obtain visa-on-arrival in countries like Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burundi, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait.

What are the Requirements for Obtaining Visa-on-Arrival?

Countries like East Timor, Cambodia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, and Egypt offer visas at the border. The fees and allowed stay durations vary from country to country, but the required documents are generally the same. The documents required during the process include:

• A passport with a minimum of one-year validity.
• A photocopy of the passport, travel insurance policy should be on hand.
• The fee for the visa, hotel reservation documents should be prepared.
• At least a 3-month bank statement and a minimum of 4 biometric photos are needed.
• Do not forget the visa application form and round-trip flight tickets.

Without these, the mentioned processes cannot be performed. More detailed information can be obtained from the authorities of the country to be visited. The completion of the process depends on the border’s busyness. If there are many applications, you may have to wait longer.

However, if your documents are complete and there is no crowd, you can obtain your transit document in 10-15 minutes. By preparing the above documents, you can obtain a visa at the borders of Mauritania, Nepal, Palau, Samoa, Seychelles, Palau, Rwanda, Sierra Leone with a Japanese passport.

Upon arrival at the border, you may need to submit documents and fill out some additional forms. The person who gets the visa can reside in the country for the specified period. Moreover, the purpose of the visit is important in determining the stay duration in the country.

Therefore, detailed research should be done on the policies of countries before travel. Updates such as vaccination requirements and quarantine should be followed to stay informed.