Data source
The index uses the open ilyankou/passport-index-dataset, surfaced through VisaRadar and synced there on 17 September 2026. VisaRadar identifies the upstream dataset as MIT-licensed and describes the score as the number of destinations reachable without an advance visa, including visa-free access, visa on arrival and electronic authorization / ETA where included by the dataset.
Mobility score
Each passport receives one point for each destination treated by the upstream dataset as accessible without an advance traditional visa. The score is therefore a mobility count, not a weighted quality score.
| Category | Typical treatment in mobility scoring | Practical reality |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | Counts | No advance visa, but border conditions still apply. |
| Visa on arrival | Counts | Authorization/fee may still be required at the border. |
| ETA / electronic authorization | Counts where included upstream | Must usually be approved before boarding. |
| eVisa | Dataset-dependent | Usually requires advance application and should not be treated as equivalent to visa-free access. |
| Traditional visa | Does not count | Advance application, and often documentation or interview, required. |
How ranks and ties work
Passports are sorted from highest to lowest mobility score. Ties use competition ranking: if two passports tie for rank 2, the next rank is 4. That is why rank numbers can skip.
J&S score bands
The descriptive bands are a Jackson & Schwab presentation layer, not part of the upstream dataset and not an evaluation of the worth of a nationality.
| Band | Mobility score |
|---|---|
| Exceptional | 160+ |
| Very high | 145–159 |
| High | 120–144 |
| Moderate | 90–119 |
| Limited | 60–89 |
| Restricted | Below 60 |
What this index does not measure
It does not score freedom of movement for residence or employment, voting rights, citizenship transmission, consular protection, tax treatment, healthcare, education, political stability, diplomatic reach, dual-citizenship restrictions, compulsory service, or the difficulty of acquiring the citizenship. Those factors can matter more than visa-free tourism.
Refresh policy
The page states the source synchronization date. If the upstream matrix changes, the J&S snapshot should be regenerated rather than silently presenting stale data as current.
Before relying on the index for a trip
Check the destination government's own immigration/foreign-affairs site and the airline's operational requirements. IATA states that Timatic provides real-time travel-document requirements used across the airline industry. Entry rules can depend on passport type, validity, residence permits, route, transit airports, purpose of travel, prior travel and personal circumstances.