Palau remains to have one of the most powerful passports among the Pacific island nations ranking 49th in the world with Palauans able to travel vise-free to 118 destinations.
According to the latest Henley and Partners Passport Index, Palau kept its rank at 49th but compared to previous years can now travel to more countries without needing a visa.
It however need visas to 108 destinations and fell from the Pacific island nations rank from occupying the top five top spots to now ranking lower
The Henley and Partners passport index ranks the travel documents based on data from the International Air Transport Association, a trade association of international airlines. Henley & Partners, is a London-based residence and citizenship planning and announces rankings annually.
Palau enjoys visa –free access to the United States because of its relationship with the nation under the Compact of Free Association. Palau can travel up to six months to the United Kingdom visa-free. And up to 90 days in several countries in Europe under the mutual visa-free waiver agreement specifically Schengen countries signed in 2015.
Recently Palau has also been granted visa-free access to Taiwan and Russia.
Solomon Islands ranked the most powerful passports among the Pacific island nations, listed as 39th in the global ranking. Vanuatu is at the second spot and Samoa listed at the third spot.
Meanwhile, Japan is the most powerful passport in the world with visa-free access to 190 destinations, Singapore is third while Germany is the third most powerful passport according to the global ranking. (Bernadette H. Carreon)