Ireland officially has a more powerful passport than UK

The new rankings place Ireland as third most powerful passport in the world

Ireland officially has a more powerful passport than the UK as per the latest rankings on the Henley Passport Index.

Every year the residence and citizenship firm, Henley and Partners, release an updated version of the global passport index that ranks how many countries one can enter with their passport visa free.

Inevitably this often becomes a competition between nations and comparisons are drawn up between passports as holders boasts who gets visa free entry into some of the world’s most niche destinations.

Both Ireland and the United Kingdom have enjoyed some of the most powerful passports in the world for the last 15 years, remaining consistently in the top 10.

However in the latest update in the rankings Ireland, who were previously joint with the UK in sixth place in 2023 have shot up to third place, overtaking the UK, who are now in fourth, by one visa-free destination.

Singapore reclaim top spot from Japan after a three-country increase to once again become the most powerful passport in the world.

Of course many of the most common destinations remain visa free for most nations, however, there are a couple differences between the two passports with one huge destination that gives the Irish passport the edge.

Both passports permit entry into the USA and Australia visa free, with an electronic travel authorisation, however Irish passport holders can flaunt their visa free access into the world’s fourth most visited country, China.

UK passport holders will require a visa to visit China, while the Irish will be able to serenely walk on through.

Elsewhere, the Irish passport will give access to Iran and Uganda visa free, while the Brits will have to get their paperwork in order before travelling.

The only consolation for British passport holders is visa-free entry into Pakistan whereas those with Irish passports will have to apply for a visa.

Henley and Partners passport index is based off data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks 199 passports from around the world against 227 destinations.

So, next time you jet off to China, Iran or Uganda remember to smile smugly at the queuing Brits as you sail through passport control, proudly waving your Irish passport.

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