The Henley Passport Index list has been updated in April 2026, which brings some interesting changes. Singapore tops the list, followed by a surprising boom in ranking for the UAE. The USA barely manages to stay in the top ten list by ending at 10th position. The sad reality is that the global mobility gap widens more with every new report and update.
The Henley & Partners Passport Index 2026 ranks global passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Drawing on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the index evaluates 227 passports across 226 destinations, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorization access.
This year’s results highlight a growing divide in global mobility, with some nations enjoying near-unrestricted travel while others face significant limitations.
Singapore Leads as the World’s Strongest Passport
Singapore has secured the top position in 2026, offering its citizens visa-free or simplified access to 192 destinations, covering approximately 85% of the world.
This achievement reinforces Singapore’s status as a global leader in travel freedom. Its passport provides nearly five times more access than the lowest-ranked countries, demonstrating a stark imbalance in global mobility.
Following Singapore, several countries share the second position:
- Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates – 187 destinations
- Norway and Switzerland – 185 destinations
- European nations continue to dominate the rankings, particularly in Northern and Western regions
The UAE stands out as the strongest passport outside East and Southeast Asia, although it still lacks visa-free access to certain destinations such as the United States.
Malaysia stands in a strong position as well by having visa-free access to 183 countries, which awards it the 6th position in the ranking.
Performance of Western and Developed Nations
Countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand rank within the top 10, each offering access to 182 destinations.
The United States sits at 14th place with 179 destinations, tied with Iceland, reflecting a stable but slightly declining position compared to past years. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom remains within the top tier, maintaining strong global mobility. Latin American countries also show strong performance:
- Chile and Hong Kong – 174 destinations
- Argentina and Brazil – 168 destinations
Mid-Tier Passport Rankings
Emerging economies occupy the middle of the rankings:
- India shows a gradual improvement in global mobility, standing at 77th position and having access to 56 visa-free countries.
- China maintains a steady mid-level position at 55th, and its nationals have access to 82 countries without having a visa in advance.
These countries demonstrate growing international access but still face restrictions compared to top-tier passports.
World’s Weakest Passports in 2026
At the bottom of the index, mobility remains severely restricted:
- Ranked 101: Afghanistan – 23 destinations
- Ranked 100: Syria – 26 destinations
- Ranked 99: Iraq – 29 destinations
- Raked 98: Pakistan and Yemen – 31 destinations
Additionally, several African nations rank low:
- Nigeria – 44 destinations
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – 43
- Somalia – 32
Most of the weakest passports provide access to fewer than 45 destinations, highlighting the challenges faced by citizens in these regions.
Key Factors Influencing Passport Strength
The Henley Passport Index reveals that passport power is shaped by several critical factors:
- Diplomatic relations
- Political stability
- Economic strength
- Security and migration trends
Countries affected by conflict or instability tend to face stricter visa requirements, limiting their citizens’ global mobility.
Expert Opinion
Immigration expert based in Germany, Umer Rasib, said about the increasing gaps in global mobility, and he said:
“One of the most striking findings in 2026 is the widening gap between the strongest and weakest passports. The difference now spans nearly 170 destinations, making it one of the clearest indicators of global inequality. Citizens of top-ranked nations, for example, Switzerland, Singapore, the UK, Germany, and the UAE, benefit from a range of facilities such as easier travel access, greater educational opportunities, and expanded economic prospects. Most of the time, nationals of these countries enjoy either visa-free access or electronic travel authorization only.
In contrast, those with weaker passports, such as those of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Yemen, encounter significant barriers to international movement and opportunity. This leads to immense emigration from these nations. Most of the time, we also see they use illegal routes in search of reaching developed nations”.
Conclusion
The Henley Passport Index 2026 underscores a world where mobility is unevenly distributed. While Singapore leads with unparalleled access, many nations remain far behind, emphasizing the role of nationality in determining freedom of movement.
As global travel continues to evolve, passport strength remains a powerful reflection of geopolitical influence, economic stability, and international cooperation.
Complete List of Countries: Passport Index 2026
| Passport | Rank (as of April 2026) | Visa-Free Access |
| Singapore | 1st | 192 |
| Japan | 2nd | 187 |
| South Korea | 2nd | 187 |
| United Arab Emirates | 2nd | 187 |
| Sweden | 3rd | 186 |
| Belgium | 4th | 185 |
| Denmark | 4th | 185 |
| Finland | 4th | 185 |
| France | 4th | 185 |
| Germany | 4th | 185 |
| Ireland | 4th | 185 |
| Italy | 4th | 185 |
| Luxembourg | 4th | 185 |
| Netherlands | 4th | 185 |
| Norway | 4th | 185 |
| Spain | 4th | 185 |
| Switzerland | 4th | 185 |
| Austria | 5th | 184 |
| Greece | 5th | 184 |
| Malta | 5th | 184 |
| Portugal | 5th | 184 |
| Hungary | 6th | 183 |
| Malaysia | 6th | 183 |
| Poland | 6th | 183 |
| United Kingdom | 6th | 183 |
| Australia | 7th | 182 |
| Canada | 7th | 182 |
| Czechia | 7th | 182 |
| Latvia | 7th | 182 |
| New Zealand | 7th | 182 |
| Slovakia | 7th | 182 |
| Slovenia | 7th | 182 |
| Croatia | 8th | 181 |
| Estonia | 8th | 181 |
| Liechtenstein | 9th | 180 |
| Lithuania | 9th | 180 |
| Iceland | 10th | 179 |
| United States | 10th | 179 |
| Bulgaria | 11th | 177 |
| Romania | 11th | 177 |
| Monaco | 12th | 176 |
| Chile | 13th | 174 |
| Cyprus | 13th | 174 |
| Hong Kong (SAR China) | 13th | 174 |
| Andorra | 14th | 169 |
| Argentina | 15th | 168 |
| Brazil | 15th | 168 |
| Israel | 16th | 166 |
| San Marino | 16th | 166 |
| Barbados | 17th | 163 |
| Brunei | 17th | 163 |
| The Bahamas | 18th | 158 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | 19th | 157 |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19th | 157 |
| Mexico | 20th | 156 |
| Uruguay | 21st | 155 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 22nd | 154 |
| Seychelles | 22nd | 154 |
| Vatican City | 23rd | 151 |
| Costa Rica | 24th | 148 |
| Grenada | 25th | 147 |
| Mauritius | 25th | 147 |
| Panama | 25th | 147 |
| Dominica | 26th | 145 |
| Paraguay | 26th | 145 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 26th | 145 |
| St. Lucia | 27th | 144 |
| Ukraine | 28th | 142 |
| Macao (SAR China) | 29th | 141 |
| Peru | 29th | 141 |
| Serbia | 30th | 135 |
| Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) | 31st | 134 |
| Guatemala | 32nd | 132 |
| Solomon Islands | 32nd | 132 |
| El Salvador | 33rd | 131 |
| Colombia | 34th | 130 |
| Honduras | 35th | 129 |
| Samoa | 35th | 129 |
| Marshall Islands | 36th | 127 |
| Tonga | 36th | 127 |
| Montenegro | 37th | 126 |
| North Macedonia | 37th | 126 |
| Nicaragua | 38th | 125 |
| Tuvalu | 38th | 125 |
| Kiribati | 39th | 122 |
| Albania | 40th | 121 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 40th | 121 |
| Georgia | 41st | 120 |
| Micronesia | 41st | 120 |
| Palau Islands | 41st | 120 |
| Moldova | 42nd | 119 |
| Venezuela | 43rd | 116 |
| Russian Federation | 44th | 113 |
| Türkiye | 44th | 113 |
| Qatar | 45th | 111 |
| Belize | 46th | 100 |
| South Africa | 46th | 100 |
| Kuwait | 47th | 96 |
| Ecuador | 48th | 93 |
| Maldives | 49th | 92 |
| Timor-Leste | 49th | 92 |
| Guyana | 50th | 88 |
| Bahrain | 51st | 87 |
| Fiji | 51st | 87 |
| Saudi Arabia | 51st | 87 |
| Vanuatu | 51st | 87 |
| Nauru | 52nd | 86 |
| Jamaica | 53rd | 85 |
| Oman | 54th | 84 |
| Papua New Guinea | 54th | 84 |
| China | 55th | 82 |
| Botswana | 56th | 81 |
| Kosovo | 56th | 81 |
| Kazakhstan | 57th | 78 |
| Belarus | 58th | 77 |
| Bolivia | 58th | 77 |
| Thailand | 59th | 76 |
| Suriname | 60th | 75 |
| Namibia | 61st | 74 |
| Lesotho | 62nd | 73 |
| Dominican Republic | 63rd | 71 |
| eSwatini | 63rd | 71 |
| Morocco | 63rd | 71 |
| Indonesia | 64th | 70 |
| Malawi | 64th | 70 |
| Kenya | 65th | 69 |
| Tanzania | 66th | 68 |
| The Gambia | 66th | 68 |
| Azerbaijan | 67th | 67 |
| Ghana | 67th | 67 |
| Rwanda | 68th | 66 |
| Tunisia | 68th | 66 |
| Benin | 69th | 65 |
| Philippines | 69th | 65 |
| Uganda | 69th | 65 |
| Armenia | 70th | 64 |
| Mongolia | 70th | 64 |
| Zambia | 70th | 64 |
| Cape Verde Islands | 71st | 63 |
| Sierra Leone | 72nd | 62 |
| Zimbabwe | 73rd | 61 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 74th | 59 |
| Mozambique | 74th | 59 |
| Uzbekistan | 74th | 59 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 75th | 58 |
| Togo | 76th | 57 |
| Burkina Faso | 77th | 56 |
| Cuba | 77th | 56 |
| India | 77th | 56 |
| Senegal | 77th | 56 |
| Algeria | 78th | 55 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 78th | 55 |
| Gabon | 78th | 55 |
| Madagascar | 78th | 55 |
| Mauritania | 78th | 55 |
| Niger | 79th | 54 |
| Mali | 80th | 53 |
| Tajikistan | 80th | 53 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 81st | 52 |
| Guinea | 81st | 52 |
| Chad | 82nd | 51 |
| Comoro Islands | 83rd | 50 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 83rd | 50 |
| Egypt | 84th | 49 |
| Haiti | 84th | 49 |
| Jordan | 84th | 49 |
| Liberia | 84th | 49 |
| Angola | 85th | 48 |
| Burundi | 85th | 48 |
| Central African Republic | 85th | 48 |
| Vietnam | 85th | 48 |
| Bhutan | 86th | 47 |
| Cambodia | 86th | 47 |
| Cameroon | 86th | 47 |
| Congo (Rep.) | 87th | 46 |
| Djibouti | 88th | 45 |
| Laos | 88th | 45 |
| Turkmenistan | 88th | 45 |
| Nigeria | 89th | 44 |
| Congo (Dem. Rep.) | 90th | 43 |
| Lebanon | 90th | 43 |
| Ethiopia | 91st | 42 |
| Myanmar | 91st | 42 |
| South Sudan | 92nd | 41 |
| Sudan | 92nd | 41 |
| Libya | 93rd | 39 |
| Sri Lanka | 93rd | 39 |
| Eritrea | 94th | 38 |
| Iran | 94th | 38 |
| Palestinian Territory | 94th | 38 |
| Bangladesh | 95th | 36 |
| Nepal | 96th | 35 |
| North Korea | 96th | 35 |
| Somalia | 97th | 32 |
| Pakistan | 98th | 31 |
| Yemen | 98th | 31 |
| Iraq | 99th | 29 |
| Syria | 100th | 26 |
| Afghanistan | 101st | 23 |