Why the Passport Index Matters When Applying for a Second Passport

The passport index helps you understand what each citizenship offers in terms of global access. Whether you’re considering citizenship by investment for business expansion or family security, understanding passport rankings can help you make a more informed decision.

This article explains how rankings work, why they matter for citizenship by investment, and how to choose the right programme with confidence.

What Drives People to Pursue a Second Passport

Political instability, taxation difficulties, and concerns about family safety are common reasons people seek a second passport. A stronger passport provides the freedom to travel globally and live in safety.

Beyond physical security, a second citizenship offers financial protection and access to banking in stable jurisdictions. The right passport can protect your wealth while keeping international opportunities open.

Long-term planning also plays a role. Better education options, healthcare access across borders, and retirement flexibility all improve with strategic citizenship planning.

How Passport Rankings Are Calculated

The passport index measures how many destinations you can enter without a visa. Rankings are based on visa-free access, visa-on-arrival (VOA) privileges, electronic travel authorisations, and e-Visa eligibility.

Core inputs

Bilateral agreements between countries form the foundation. Singapore passport holders can access 192 destinations without visas in 2025. This reflects decades of diplomatic relationships. Policy changes—new visa waivers, suspended agreements, or diplomatic tensions—cause scores to shift from year to year.

Geopolitical stability also influences rankings. Countries that maintain strong international standing and consistent due diligence standards tend to preserve their passport strength.

Why scores move

New visa waiver agreements boost rankings. When China recently granted visa-free access to multiple countries, those passports gained immediate value. Sanctions, policy disputes, or security concerns can remove visa-free corridors quickly.

Changes to due diligence also affect programme credibility. For example, the Caribbean Five’s 2024 Memorandum of Agreement strengthened their collective reputation and maintained the global acceptance of their passports.

Note on methodology

Different indices produce slightly different results. The Henley Passport Index uses International Air Transport Association data and ranks Singapore first with access to 193 destinations. The VisaGuide Passport Index uses a Destination Significance Score that weights countries differently. Arton Capital’s Global Passport Power Rank places the United Arab Emirates at the top with 179 destinations.

Use these as directional tools. The specific index matters less than understanding the overall mobility each passport provides.

Why the Passport Index Should Guide CBI Decisions

The passport index helps you compare CBI programmes by showing exactly what mobility each citizenship offers. Before investing $200,000 or more, check the rankings to understand what you’re actually getting for your money.

Mobility ROI

The passport index reveals significant value differences between programmes. A citizenship by investment programme costing $200,000 with visa-free access to 147 countries offers different value than one at a similar price with access to only 80 destinations. Use the index to match programmes with your actual travel patterns—which regions matter for your business, where your family studies, and which countries serve as your primary hubs.

A citizenship by investment country comparison reveals these value differences clearly. Antigua and Barbuda’s passport provides access to over 150 countries, while St Lucia offers similar reach. Yet investment requirements and processing times differ. Consulting with an expert like Premier Consultancy can help guide you on choosing a suitable programme for your requirements. 

Crisis Readiness

The passport ranking matters most during disruptions. Stronger passports maintain more travel corridors when borders close. When pandemic lockdowns fragmented global travel in 2020, passport ranking determined who could move and who couldn’t. Checking the index before choosing a CBI programme ensures your second passport serves as real insurance for when circumstances change.

Business and Family Logistics

Use the passport index to identify programmes that eliminate visa barriers for your specific needs. Frequent business travellers lose time on visa applications, and a stronger passport removes this barrier entirely. 

Additionally, international schooling options expand when your family holds citizenship with EU access. Medical emergencies requiring overseas treatment also become easier to manage when border crossings are straightforward. The index shows which CBI programmes provide access to the countries that matter most to your family.

Banking and Compliance

The passport index also indicates how financial institutions view different citizenships. Banks and investment firms apply different standards based on citizenship and passport ranking. Malta passport holders face fewer questions when opening European accounts. Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes with strict vetting and higher rankings have improved their banking acceptance considerably.

Future-proofing

Check historical passport index data to identify stable programmes. St Kitts and Nevis runs the world’s oldest CBI programme, established in 1984, and has maintained its ranking consistently. Programmes with consistent governance and rigorous screening maintain their standing in the index over time, protecting your long-term investment.

Top-Tier Versus Mid-Tier Passports

Top-tier Passports

Passports ranking in the global top 20—Singapore, Japan, and EU nations—offer:

• Unrestricted Schengen access
• Transatlantic routes and strong Asia-Pacific connectivity
• Minimal scrutiny at borders
• Faster processing by immigration officers

Mid-tier Passports

Caribbean CBI passports rank in the 40–50 range globally and provide:

• Access to over 150 countries (St Kitts and Nevis ranks 45th)
• Entry to the Schengen Area, UK, and Singapore
• Strong value for investors focused on emerging markets
• Access to China, Southeast Asia, and Latin America that often matches or exceeds Western passports

How To Pick the Right Programme

Aside from passport rankings, here are some other factors that should influence your decision in choosing the right CBI programme for you and your family: 

• Mobility Requirements: Define the mobility level you need. European business operations require Schengen access. Latin American expansion benefits from regional connections. 
• Timeline. Caribbean programmes deliver in months. EU residence routes take years.
• Budget and total cost: Consider investment minimums, additional fees for family inclusion, state fees, due diligence charges, legal costs, and document legalisation. Real estate routes include property management and resale costs, while government bonds tie up capital for set periods. Factor in renewal costs when making comparisons.
• Presence rules and tax position: Minimal presence requirements suit those maintaining residence elsewhere. Programmes requiring genuine residence can create tax residency obligations. Your existing tax position interacts with new citizenship in ways that require professional analysis.
• Stability and reputation: Programme governance affects long-term value. Consider whether the country maintains consistent policies, enforces robust due diligence, and enjoys international acceptance.

How To Avoid Delays 

To avoid unnecessary delays and potential losses, ensure you seek the necessary guidance for compliance and documentation. At Premier Consultancy, we guide you through submissions and conduct pre-submission audits to prevent delays caused by incomplete applications.

Here’s a list of documents you would need for a smooth process:

• Source of funds: bank statements, business ownership documents, property records, inheritance papers, employment contracts, tax filings
• Police clearances from every country where you’ve lived 6+ months since age 18
• Medical examinations and insurance proof (certain programmes)
• Certified translations by approved translators for non-English documents
• Notarisation for signatures and document authenticity
• Apostilles for international recognition under the Hague Convention
• Consistent name spelling, date formats across all paperwork

Incomplete documentation causes most delays. Keep detailed records of all transactions.

How Premier Consultancy Helps 

Objective Programme Matching

Premier Consultancy offers cost-to-benefit benchmarking and living-expense projections for each CBI option, which can help you make clear decisions about which options are best for your family. 

We analyse your situation against current passport index rankings, policy changes, and programme requirements, while keeping your goals in mind. 

End-to-end Handling

We manage submissions, liaise with government units, respond to queries, and keep you informed. After approval, we coordinate passport collection, certificates, and family additions. Renewals and ongoing support continue after initial approval.

Contact Premier Consultancy

Get professional guidance on CBI Programs. With 20 years of industry experience across London, Dubai, Bangkok, and Nairobi, we’ve helped thousands of families secure citizenship successfully. We can provide complete, in-depth information on investor requirements and help you make the right decision for your family. Book a confidential consultation with Premier Consultancy for a clear, approval-ready plan.