The country with the world's most powerful passport in 2019 is ... Japan.

Axar.az reports citing CNN.

That's the view of the Henley Passport Index, which periodically measures the access each country's travel document affords.

The index, compiled by global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, says it bases its ranking on "exclusive" data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and "is enhanced by extensive, ongoing research by the Henley & Partners Research Department."

The best passports to hold at the beginning of 2019 are:

1. Japan - And Japan holds onto the top place for 2019. With this little document, 190 countries will welcome its holder to cross their borders.

2. Singapore, South Korea - Singapore and South Korea share the 2nd place spot on the index. These countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 jurisdictions.

3. France, Germany - Germany (pictured) began 2018 in the No.1 spot, but is now in third place with France.

4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden - Joint fourth on the list, with access to 187 destinations, are Denmark (whose nationals are pictured), Finland, Italy and Sweden.

5. Luxembourg, Spain - Spain dropped a spot in the latest Henley Index, joining Luxembourg in fifth place. Holders of passports from these two nations have access to 186 countries.

6. Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States - Holders of passports from Portugal (pictured) and these other six countries find doors open to them in 185 jurisdictions.

7. Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland - Canada shares the seventh spot on the Henley Passport Index with Belgium, Greece and Ireland, offering visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations.

8. Czech Republic - Citizens of the Czech Republic (Prague Airport is pictured) enjoy access to 183 travel destinations.

9. Malta - Citizens of Malta (whose Winter Olympians are pictured), have easy access to 182 destinations

10. Australia, Iceland, New Zealand - The wild and wonderful landscape of Iceland has proved a magnet for foreign visitors in recent years, but Icelanders themselves can easily head in the other direction with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations, along with citizens of Australia and New Zealand.