Jakarta, GIVnews.com – Henley and Partners, a Canada-based international firm active in residence and citizenship planning, has just launched its 2016 Visa Restriction Index in collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The index measures how 'powerful' the passport of each country is in terms of allowing its bearers to enter other countries without the need to apply for a visa. This year is the index's eleventh edition, and it is marked with the launch of an interactive website where everyone can see how all countries' performance fluctuates throughout the years.
Predictably, the top ranks are dominated by members of the Schengen Area. Schengen is a group of 26 European countries which have agreed to abolish all border controls within their territories, in effect operating as a region with a common visa policy. However, it should be noted that recently Schengen members have reinstated border controls to some degree in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
The top ten countries with most powerful passports are Germany (1), Sweden (2), Finland, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK (joint 3), Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, and the US (joint 4), Austria, Japan, and Singapore (joint 5), Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, and Switzerland (joint 6), Greece and New Zealand (joint 7), Australia (8), Malta (9), and Czech Republic, Hungary, and Iceland (joint 10).
Meanwhile, the ASEAN pack is led by Singapore (5), Malaysia (12), and Brunei Darussalam (23). All other countries fell far behind, in the following order: Thailand (67), the Philippines (76), Indonesia (79), Cambodia (87), Laos and Vietnam (joint 90), and Myanmar (95). Surprisingly, Timor Leste surged ahead this year to #57, a sharp jump from #89 last year. In fact, Timor Leste is the country with the best improvement this year.
Overall, 197 countries out of the world's 218 nations are ranked by Henley and Partners. Germany at #1 enjoys visa-free access to 177 countries, closely followed by Sweden with 176. Henley also noted that no country dropped more than three places from last year's index, signifying a roughly uniform improvement in travel freedom for all nations. Indonesia itself has a marginal improvement, rising four places from last year's #83. However, this is a drop from 2014's position at #72.
This year's result is a slap for the Indonesian government. Although last year the government launched an aggressive visa-free policy for incoming international tourists to boost tourism, it seems that this gesture has not been met with reciprocal measures from foreign nations. Currently citizens of 174 countries can enter Indonesia without visa, but Indonesians only enjoy the same treatment from 58 nations.
Admittedly, the government's policy has reaped generous benefits. 10.4 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia in 2015, an impressive 10.3% growth from 2014 and exceeding the government's own target of 10 million. This growth is much sharper compared to the world average (4.4%) and ASEAN average (6%). These 10.4 million tourists spend USD 11.9 billion (IDR 163 trillion) in Indonesia, a rather significant amount of money. With other programs and breakthroughs being planned, the government is targeting 12 million tourists in 2016.
However, it is equally important that the government lobby foreign nations to allow free entry for Indonesians as well. Currently, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is trying to convince EU nations to grant free travel for Indonesians to the Schengen Area. However, this is a difficult proposal given the heightened tensions over border controls in Europe. As shown by Henley's index, more needs to be done.
Source: This 'Visa Restriction Index' Could Disappoint Indonesian Passport Holders Around the World
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