The Henley Passport Index for 2026 ranks Singapore first with visa-free access to 192 of 227 destinations; Japan and South Korea tie for second (188). Several European countries cluster near the top, while the UAE is the biggest long-term gainer, adding 149 visa-free destinations since 2006. The UK and US have both lost ground recently, and Afghanistan remains last with access to only 24 destinations, highlighting stark disparities in global mobility.
The World's Most Powerful Passports in 2026: Singapore Tops Henley Index as UAE Makes Biggest Gains
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. - Buena Vista Images/Stone RF/Getty Images
There is a select group of passports that grant holders exceptional travel freedom, shorter waits at border control and fewer visa restrictions. The Henley Passport Index — compiled by Henley & Partners using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) — ranks passports by the number of countries and territories their holders can visit without a prior visa.
Top of the List
Asian passports dominate the summit of the 2026 Henley rankings. Singapore holds the No. 1 spot with visa-free access to 192 of the 227 destinations tracked. Japan and South Korea share No. 2, each with access to 188 destinations.
Leading European Clusters
Henley groups countries with identical scores into the same ranking slot. That produces several shared positions: five European countries — Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland — jointly occupy No. 3 with access to 186 destinations. Ten European states (including France, Germany, Italy and Netherlands) share No. 4 with 185 destinations each.
Singapore is holding on strong at No. 1 in the Henley Passport Index. - kitzcorner/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
Notable Movers
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as Henley’s most improved performer over the index’s 20-year history: it has added 149 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations since 2006, rising 57 places — progress Henley attributes to sustained diplomatic engagement and visa liberalization.
Middle of the Pack
- No. 6 (183): Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, Poland
- No. 7 (182): Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom — the UK has lost eight visa-free destinations year-on-year
- No. 8 (181): Canada, Iceland, Lithuania
- No. 9 (180): Malaysia
- No. 10 (179): United States — the U.S. has lost seven visa-free destinations over the past 12 months and has dropped six places over two decades (from 4th to 10th)
Bottom Of The Index
At the other extreme, Afghanistan remains last (No. 101) with visa-free access to just 24 destinations. Syria and Iraq sit just above it with 26 and 29 destinations respectively — a mobility gap of 168 destinations between the highest- and lowest-ranked passports.
“Passport privilege plays a decisive role in shaping opportunity, security and economic participation,” says Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index, warning that rising average access masks growing concentration of mobility advantages among economically powerful and politically stable nations.
Alternate Rankings
Other ranking systems reach different conclusions. Arton Capital’s Passport Index, for example, covers 193 UN member states plus six territories and updates in real time. Its 2026 Global Passport Power Rank places the UAE at No. 1 (score: 179), with Singapore and Spain tied for second (score: 175).
Croatian passport holders have visa-free access to 183 destinations. - SCStock/iStockphoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Context And Trends
Henley & Partners also helps high-net-worth individuals pursue second citizenship; in 2025 it reported clients from 91 nationalities, with Americans representing about 30% of its business. At the same time, several European countries have tightened citizenship-by-descent and investment-based “golden passport” programs, and proposed legislation in the U.S. would curb dual nationality for Americans if enacted.
The Henley Passport Index remains a widely cited barometer of global mobility, reflecting diplomatic ties, bilateral visa agreements and geopolitical trends that influence how freely citizens can travel.
Quick Reference — Top Henley Scores (Selected)
- Singapore: 192 destinations
- Japan, South Korea: 188
- Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland: 186
- Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway: 185
- Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE: 184
- Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, Poland: 183
- Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom: 182
- Canada, Iceland, Lithuania: 181
- Malaysia: 180
- United States: 179
For full methodology and the complete ranking, consult Henley & Partners and Arton Capital directly.
Help us improve.
