Methodology
How We Calculate the Mobility Score
The PassportChoice Mobility Score measures the travel freedom of a passport by counting the number of destinations its holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. Specifically:
Mobility Score = Visa-Free + Visa on Arrival + eTA
This measures destinations accessible without a pre-arranged visa application. eVisa destinations are tracked separately as they require advance online application.
What Counts
| Access Type | Included in Score? | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Free | Yes | No visa required. Entry permitted with valid passport, sometimes with a maximum stay period. |
| Visa on Arrival (VoA) | Yes | Visa issued at the border/airport upon arrival. No advance application needed. |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | Yes | Simple online registration (usually under 72 hours, often instant). Not a full visa application. |
| eVisa | No (tracked separately) | Online visa application required before travel. Processing may take days to weeks. |
| Visa Required | No | Traditional visa application at embassy/consulate required. |
Data Sources
Our passport ranking data is compiled from multiple authoritative sources:
- Passport Index Dataset (GitHub, MIT License): Open-source dataset tracking visa requirements between all country pairs. Updated quarterly.
- Government immigration websites: Official sources for visa policy verification.
- IATA Timatic:The airline industry's definitive source for travel document requirements.
Program Scoring
Investment programs are scored on a 1-10 scale based on the following weighted criteria:
- Passport Power (20%): Mobility score of the resulting passport
- Investment Value (20%): Cost relative to benefits received
- Processing Speed (15%): Time from application to approval
- Path to Citizenship (15%): Whether and how quickly full citizenship is attainable
- Tax Benefits (15%): Favorability of the tax regime
- Family Inclusion (10%): Ability to include family members
- Program Stability (5%): Track record and regulatory environment
Update Frequency
- Passport rankings: Updated quarterly (January, April, July, October)
- Program details: Verified monthly; updated immediately when significant changes are announced
- Last verification dates: Displayed on every program page
Limitations
Visa policies are complex and change frequently. Our data represents a best-effort compilation and may not reflect the very latest changes. Special conditions (diplomatic passports, specific nationalities, transit rules) may apply. Always verify requirements with the destination country's official sources before traveling.