SAR passport rank slips by one chop

The Hong Kong SAR passport drops one place to rank 20th in the latest world best passport chart.

The Henley Passport Index, which evaluates the convenience of passports, also revealed that Japan continues to top the list, being offered visa-free or visa-on-travel access to 191 destinations.

Singapore ranked second as its passport holders can visit 190 countries without a prior visa application. South Korea and Germany follow in third place with visa-free or visa-on-travel access to 189 places.

The SAR passport, which covers 169 countries with visa-free access, was ranked among 107 countries included in the chart.

Dominic Volek, the institution's head of Southeast Asia and manager partner said: "Countries that embrace this new reality of global mobility are thriving, with their citizens enjoying ever-increasing passport power and travel freedom as well as the array of benefits that come with it."