Britain tops list of world’s most powerful passports - Telegraph

British travel documents were cited as among the most powerful in the world, with passport holders in the UK, along with those in Finland and Sweden, able to enter 173 countries either without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival, according to research by movehub.com, a website for people moving abroad.

The US, Denmark, Germany and Luxembourg were joint second in the ranking, with passport holders able to access 172 countries. Passport holders across countries in Europe, North America and Australasia, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Canada and New Zealand, generally had the best access, being able enter between 168 and 173 foreign countries without a visa or by receiving one upon arrival.

South American passport holders were shown to have moderate access, with Argentina and Brazil having the strongest visa-free entry privileges, being able to access 147 and 146 countries respectively.

British travellers have been met with various changes in visa rules and regulations in recent years. As of this week, those hoping to visit Kazakhstan may find it a easier process as the country's president granted visa-free travel to British travellers for one year. The new scheme also applies to citizens of the US, Germany, France, Italy, the UAE, Malaysia, the Netherlands, South Korea and Japan. Up until now, Britons wishing to visit Kazakhstan have had to comply with a lengthy list of visa application requirements, including payment of £35 for a single-entry tourist visa, completion of a visa application form, hotel booking confirmations, and a letter addressed to the consular section of the Embassy of Kazakhstan.  Read More