The Republic of China (Taiwan) passport ranked 59th in this year’s Nomad Passport Index conducted by U.S.-based offshore consulting firm Nomad Capitalist, highlighting local citizens’ high level of global mobility.
Passports from 199 countries and territories were ranked based on five major criteria—visa-free travel, taxation, perception, dual citizenship and overall freedom—with the highest priority placed on visa-free travel, which accounts for 50 percent of each passport’s total ranking. Germany scored the highest in this category with 177 countries.
The ROC passport scored 81.5 total points, placing Taiwan in 59th place tied with Panama and St. Lucia. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC passport holders can visit 165 countries without having to apply for a visa in advance.
Sweden ranked first with a score of 109 points. Sweden passport holders can visit 176 countries without a visa. Among Taiwan’s regional neighbors, Japan tied with Singapore at 19th place, while South Korea and Malaysia both came in at 29th, followed by Hong Kong at 40th and Brunei at 45th. The ROC passport ranked 7th in Asia.
Taiwan currently grants citizens of 48 countries visa-exempt entry for a period of 30 or 90 days, according to the MOFA. The government is also working to streamline the visa application process so as to make it easier for travelers to visit the nation. (KWS-E)
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