Phl has 69th most welcome passport

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines ranked 69th among countries whose passports are most welcome internationally, a recent survey on visa restrictions said.

Holders of Philippine passports enjoyed visa-free access to 58 of 219 countries as of 2013, according to a Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index report released this year.

Finland, Sweden and United Kingdom share the top spot for having the most welcome passports, with visa-free access to 173 countries.

Also in the top 10 most welcomed passports are those of Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and the US, with visa-free access to 172 countries; Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands with 171; Canada, France, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal and Spain with 170; Austria, New Zealand and Switzerland (168), Australia, Greece and Singapore (167); South Korea (166); Iceland (165); Malaysia and Malta (163), and Liechtenstein (159).

The Philippines is followed by Cape Verde at rank 70 with visa-free access to 57 countries, while Moldova is at 68th place with 59.

Iraq and Afghanistan hold the 92nd and 93rd spots with visa-free-access to 31 and 28 countries, respectively.