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The Philippine passport has slipped six spots down a global league of visa-free privileges, now placing at number 80 out of 199 countries.

The annual Henley Passport Index, which was released yesterday (Tuesday, July 3), puts the Philippine passport on a par with the African countries of Ghana and Zimbabwe.

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Citizens of these three countries can travel to 64 countries visa-free. This compares to last year, when the Philippines was placed at 74th in the index, with visa-free access to 66 countries.

However, as we reported earlier this week, it’s not all bad news for Filipino travellers. Taiwan has announced an extension of visa-free access for another year.

The passport index was started in 2006 and is updated quarterly. The results are based on data provided by the International Air Transport Association and Henley’s own research.

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One point is given to passports for each visa-free travel destination. One point is also given if the holder is required to secure a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA). No points are given if a traditional visa is required.

Japan and Singapore have retained their top spots as the “world’s strongest” with visa-free access to 189 countries.

Finland, Germany and South Korea shared second place with its passport holders allowed to visit 187 destinations visa-free.

Denmark, Italy, and Luxembourg took the third spot with access to 186 destinations visa-free.

The other top passports are mainly European nations, with Canada and the USA joining the UK and others in the sixth position, all with 183 points.

At the other end of the scale — in 109th place — is Afghanistan, with visa-free access to 25 countries only. The bottom five of the list is completed by Somalia, Pakistan, Syria and Iraq.

For a full list of countries that Filipinos can visit visa-free, click here.

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