The UK passport is now only as good as one from Uzbekistan, thanks to Covid

THE BRITISH passport is the weakest it has ever been due to the pandemic – offering travel access to just 60 countries in the world.

Deemed to have strength depending on how many countries the passport allows the holder to visit without restriction, the UK usually is high up the list.

Alamy

The British passport is the weakest ever due to Covid[/caption]

The latest ranking places the UK in seventh place, along with the US, with travel access to 187 destinations.

However, due to Covid and a number of travel bans, UK passport holders can now just visit 60 destinations – putting it in the same place as Uzbekistan.

The annual study is conducted by Henley & Partners, with Japan and Singapore often taking the top spots.

This year, Germany was ranked the highest European destination in third place, although Covid restrictions has made it drop from 191 countries to just 81.

Henley & Partners chairman Christian Kaelin said that global travel will remain “seriously hampered” for the rest of the year at least.

Alamy

The UK passport is now the same strength as one from Uzbekistan[/caption]

He said: “In many countries, serious doubts have arisen as to the ability to handle a global crisis, with the subsequent embrace of more inward-looking priorities.

“It is clear that more than ever, people need to expand their residence and passport options.”

The weakest EU countries include Croatia and Bulgaria with 171 countries and Cyprus with 174.

At the very bottom of the list is an Afghanistan passport with just 26 visa-free countries open to holders.

Pre-pandemic, the British passport was found to be stronger, having gone up from eight place last year.

However, it has been slowly slipping since 2014, where it took the number one spot.

Strongest passports 2021

1. Japan (191 destinations)

2. Singapore (190)

3. South Korea, Germany (189)

4. Italy, Finland, Spain, Luxembourg (188)

5. Denmark, Austria (187)

6. Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland (186)

7. Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, New Zealand (185)

8. Greece, Malta, Czech Republic, Australia (184)

9. Canada (183)

10. Hungary (181)

Most read in News Travel

AMBER WARNING

Here's which holiday destinations on the amber list have quarantine rules

SEE THE LIGHT

Which countries are on the green, amber and red lists?

PLAY-A ON

Can I travel to Spain? UK amber list rules and quarantine restrictions

PARK UP

Inside the fanciest caravan in the UK - with neon lights, sequins & velvet sofas

LISA MINOT

Pings from NHS app just got a whole lot worse if you’re going on your hols

HOL BOOST

Double-jabbed Brits can fly to amber list nations WITHOUT quarantine from July 19

Brits who get a new passport this year will be given a blue passport instead of the burgundy version.

The dark navy cover was ditched back in 1988 in favour of an EU-approved burgundy passport, and has now changed back.

There are in fact only four available passport colours in the world and they all have different meanings – we’ve explained each one.

* Read the full story...This article was originally published h

Who will be Next to leave the EU? Check out who is leading in our exclusive poll Poll