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According to the Henley Passport Index, the latest rankings reveal a widening divide in global mobility, driven by diplomacy, economic power, and geopolitical stability.
Strongest Passport in the world
Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport in 2026, allowing its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations.
At the opposite end, Afghanistan once again ranks last, with access to just 24 destinations, creating a 168-destination mobility gap — significantly wider than in 2006, when the difference between the then top-ranked US passport and Afghanistan was 118 destinations.
Asia dominates the top ranks
Asia continues to lead global mobility rankings.
Japan and South Korea are joint 2nd, each offering visa-free access to 188 destinations
Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland share 3rd place with 186 destinations
A record 10 European countries are tied for 4th, reflecting Europe’s sustained dominance in high-ranking passports
Europe’s grip — With key global exceptions
While Europe dominates the upper tiers, several non-European countries continue to perform strongly:
UAE ranks 5th, driven by aggressive visa liberalisation and diplomacy
New Zealand (6th), Australia (7th), Canada (8th), and Malaysia (9th) remain in the global top 10
US and UK: Back in the top 10
The United States has re-entered the Top 10 in 2026, ranking 10th with visa-free access to 179 destinations, after briefly dropping out in late 2025.
However, the rebound masks a longer-term decline. Once joint No.1 with the UK in 2014, both countries recorded their steepest annual losses in visa-free access over the past year.
The US has fallen six places since 2006, marking the third-largest decline globally
The UK has slipped four places over the same period, ranking 7th in 2026
India’s Passport performance
India continues to lag behind many emerging peers.
India’s rank in 2026: 80th
Visa-free destinations: 55
Despite incremental gains over the years, India remains well below the global average, reflecting limited reciprocal visa agreements.
Weakest Passport in the world
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index in 2026.
Visa-free access: 24 destinations
Mobility gap vs Singapore: 168 destinations
This gap reflects persistent conflict, political instability, and limited diplomatic recognition.
What is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on how many destinations holders can access without a prior visa. It is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research.
With more than 20 years of historical data, it is widely used by governments, policymakers, and global citizens as a benchmark for travel freedom.
English (US) ·