With the mass roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations in many countries, global mobility might soon become a reality again for some – particularly those in wealthy nations.
Adaptability and responsiveness will be critical to the survival and success of countries and individuals alike amid the global war for talent, as shifting patterns of migration in the post-Covid world will be non-linear and perhaps unpredictable, Henley & Partners said in its «Global Mobility Report 2021 Q2,» published on Tuesday.
In addition, the report highlighted that governments should begin to harness post-pandemic migration opportunities, as the growing rate and popularity of programs catering to mobile workers means that «any global destination without one is at risk of being left behind when the world opens up again.»
Passport Power
Japan, whose passport allows visa-free travel to 193 countries, continues to hold the top spot in Henley & Partners' latest passport index, which ranks the world's passports based on the number of countries its holders can access without a prior visa.
Singapore remains in second place, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192, while Germany and South Korea share third place with a score of 191.
Travel Stalled
The latest ranking, however, does not take into account temporary and constantly evolving Covid-19 travel restrictions. With extensive travel restrictions still in place globally, any level of international travel freedom remains theoretical, the international mobility specialist noted.
«While nobody expects a return to pre-pandemic mobility levels anytime soon, the outlook now is certainly more hopeful than it was even a few months ago,» Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, said.
