The world's most powerful passports in 2026, ranked

Singapore leads with 192 visa-free destinations while the UK and US see their steepest declines

Singapore has retained its position as the world's most powerful passport, giving holders visa-free access to 192 countries and territories in 2026.

The annual Henley Passport Index, published by global citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, measures passport strength by how many destinations holders can enter without obtaining a visa beforehand. The ranking draws on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Asian passports dominate the top spots. Japan and South Korea sit in second place, each with 188 visa-free destinations. Five European nations (Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland) share third place at 186 destinations.

Meanwhile, the gap between the strongest and weakest passports continues to grow. Afghanistan remains at the bottom with just 24 visa-free destinations, a 168-destination divide from Singapore.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman at Henley & Partners, noted:

"Today, passport privilege plays a decisive role in shaping opportunity, security, and economic participation, with rising average access masking a reality in which mobility advantages are increasingly concentrated among the world’s most economically powerful and politically stable nations."

The world's most powerful passports for 2026

The UK and US are losing ground

Both the United Kingdom and the United States experienced significant drops over the past year. The UK lost access to eight destinations, the largest single-year decline on the index. The US shed seven.

A decade ago, both passports shared first place. Today, the UK sits in 7th and the US in 10th. While the US technically returned to the top 10 after briefly falling out in late 2025, 37 countries still rank higher overall.

Which countries have gained the most passport power?

The United Arab Emirates has made the biggest gains since the index began 20 years ago. The UAE added 149 visa-free destinations and jumped 57 places, rising from relative obscurity to 5th in the global ranking.

Several Eastern European and Balkan nations have also climbed significantly. Albania moved up 36 places, Ukraine gained 34, and Serbia rose 30 spots. Over the last 10 years, Kosovo recorded the sharpest increase, climbing 38 places.

China has also improved its position, rising 28 places over the past decade. Chinese passport holders can now visit 141 destinations without a prior visa.

Only one country has declined overall in 20 years: Bolivia, which lost 5 destinations and dropped 32 places.

What this means for travelers

The strength of your passport affects how you plan international travel. If your passport ranks highly, you can visit most countries with minimal paperwork. If it ranks lower, you may need to apply for visas, eVisas, or travel authorizations in advance.

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