The latest 2026 Henley Passport Index shows Singapore retaining its position as the world’s most powerful passport, while Asian and European countries continue to dominate the highest positions in the global ranking.
The index ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without obtaining a visa before departure, making it a widely followed measure of global travel freedom.
Singaporean passport holders can access 192 destinations without a prior visa, placing the country at the top of the ranking. The United Arab Emirates has continued its rise, joining Japan and South Korea in second place.
The ranking also highlights the wide gap in global mobility. Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom, provides access to just 22 destinations without a prior visa. This creates a 170-destination difference between the world’s strongest and weakest passports.
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The strength of a passport can influence how easily people cross borders for business, family visits, education and holidays. Changes in diplomatic relations and visa agreements can also affect a country’s position, as demonstrated by the UAE’s continued improvement.
The 2026 ranking therefore offers a snapshot of how travel access varies globally, with passport holders experiencing significantly different levels of mobility depending on their nationality.
Here are the 10 passports featured among the highest scoring in the 2026 ranking:
1. Singapore — 192 destinations
Singapore holds the number one position, with passport holders able to access 192 destinations without obtaining a visa before departure.
Its position puts it four destinations ahead of the countries sharing second place. Singapore has also recorded a long-term rise in passport mobility, moving from eighth place when the index began in 2006 to the top position in 2026.
2. Japan — 188 destinations
Japan shares second place with South Korea and the UAE, giving its citizens access to 188 destinations.
Japan has remained near the top of the index in recent years, reflecting the travel access available to its passport holders across Europe, Asia and other regions.
3. South Korea — 188 destinations
South Korea also ranks second, with access to 188 destinations.
The country’s position continues Asia’s presence at the top of the passport ranking, alongside Singapore and Japan.
4. United Arab Emirates — 188 destinations
The UAE has recorded one of the biggest changes in the history of the index.
It climbed three places from the start of 2026 to join Japan and South Korea in second place. Over the past 20 years, the UAE has added 153 visa-free destinations, the largest increase recorded by any passport in the index’s history.
5. Norway — 186 destinations
Norway is among the European passports with access to 186 destinations.
It shares this position with several European countries, showing the concentration of European passports near the top of the index.
6. Switzerland — 185 destinations
Switzerland ranks next, with access to 185 destinations.
Its passport remains among those offering the widest travel access, although several European and Asian countries have higher scores.
7. EU Countries — 184 destinations
Several EU countries have access to 184 destinations, placing them among the passports with the highest level of travel access in the 2026 ranking.
The position reflects the continued presence of European countries across the upper end of the index.
8. United Kingdom — 184 destinations
The UK also ranks with access to 184 destinations.
Its position places it alongside several EU countries, with its passport holders able to enter 184 destinations without obtaining a visa before departure.
9. Malaysia — 183 destinations
Malaysia is one of the Asian countries in the upper tier, with access to 183 destinations.
Its position places it among the passports offering access to more than 180 destinations without a visa before departure.
10. Australia — 183 destinations
Australia also has access to 183 destinations.
Its passport ranks alongside Malaysia in the latest index, keeping Australia among the countries with more than 180 visa-free destinations.
Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers.
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