Which countries are most welcoming?

We have some interesting information shared here by CNN, looking at 199 countries around the world as rated by the Passport Index. The list we'll be looking at today is a publication of "most welcoming" countries. As noted in the article:

When we look at which country opens its doors to the largest number of other countries and their citizens, the list offers some food for thought. Countries are ranked by how many passports they accept visa-free, with visa on arrival, or with eTA . There were 23 countries that tied for first place by allowing in 198 other country passports, including Angola, Djibouti, Maldives, Somalia, Bolivia, Qatar, and Nigeria being examples. Another 6 tied for second place, allowing 197 other country passports into their country - Seychelles, Togo, and Uganda representing that group. However, while these might be the most welcoming countries, they are not necessarily hot spots for most mobility programs. 

When we look at our own client activity, we would note that Malaysia came in at #4, Singapore at #16, the Philippines at #18, India at #20, and Hong Kong at #21. The United States came in way down on the list at #73, only allowing 45 other countries visa-free access. Australia and Canada ranked just above the U.S. 

Canada is a little confusing at the moment. Canada ranks highest on Gallup's Migrant Acceptance Index and its government recently announced that it wants to bring in 1.5 million immigrants by 2025. This initiative aims to bolster the gap in Canada's economy created by an aging population. And, yet the Canadian Government has passed The Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, which will prevent direct and indirect purchases of residential real estate non-Canadian citizens and corporations. This policy seems contradictory to Canada's desire to get people to move there, but it is possible we'll get greater clarity with additional regulations. Many are hoping that the government carves out exceptions to allow for those moving to the country to purchase a home.

The article goes on to discuss the "reciprocity model". Countries that are normally touted as having the "best" or "most powerful" passports are often quite restrictive on visas. CNN points out that Singapore is No. 16 on the Welcoming Countries Rank, followed closely by a couple of other Asian destinations embracing the reciprocity model: Hong Kong at No. 21 and South Korea at No. 33. 

One final thought is that while some countries may be defined as "welcoming" because they allow people in visa-free, we may want to redefine "welcoming" as safe and culturally open. Changing the definition would definitely change the list dramatically as well, since "easy access" does not necessarily equal "welcoming"! For more thoughts along this line, try these other posts:

Who feels the most and the least secure worldwide? 

Moving with Pride