In a significant diplomatic move, the governments of Seychelles and Israel have inked a historic agreement, granting their citizens visa-free travel privileges between the two nations. This landmark accord, signed by Ambassador Michael Lotem and Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave, encompasses both ordinary and diplomatic passports.
The signing ceremony, which took place during the visit of Israeli Ambassador Lotem to Seychelles, marked a pivotal moment in the deepening of bilateral relations. Discussions between Ambassador Lotem, Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism and Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde, and other ministry officials led to the conclusive signing of the visa exemption agreements.
With this development, Israel joins the ranks of 156 countries that have established visa exemption arrangements with Seychelles, further solidifying the Western Indian Ocean island state’s global connectivity.
Notably, Seychelles has garnered acclaim for possessing one of the world’s most powerful passports, securing the 26th position in the 2024 Henley Passport Index. This distinction places Seychelles at the forefront in Africa, outshining other nations on the continent. Mauritius follows closely in 30th place globally, with South Africa securing the third position within Africa and 53rd globally.
The Henley Passport Index, a widely recognized benchmark for global passport rankings, underscores the immense value of a passport in facilitating international travel. Leading passports such as Japan and Singapore offer their holders visa-free access to an impressive 194 destinations. In stark contrast, Afghanistan, positioned at 104th place, provides its passport holders with visa-free entry to only 28 countries.
This prestigious ranking, meticulously compiled by Henley and Partners, draws upon data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and their dedicated research team. The comprehensive evaluation provides a comprehensive overview of passport privileges around the world, illuminating the varying degrees of global mobility accessible to different passport holders.
Henley and Partners, a distinguished global citizenship and residence advisory firm headquartered in London, continues to produce an authoritative ranking of passports, serving as a valuable resource for individuals and governments alike seeking to understand and enhance global mobility opportunities.
