World’s most powerful passports for 2026

Citizens of a small group of countries will continue to enjoy unparalleled freedom of movement in 2026, according to the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports by visa-free travel access worldwide. The annual list highlights Asia’s growing dominance at the top, steady European strength, and a continued decline in mobility for some Western nations.

Asia leads the rankings

Singapore holds the top position on the 2026 Henley Passport Index, offering its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 of the 227 destinations tracked. The index is compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which monitors global airline and border-entry rules.

Japan and South Korea share second place, each with access to 188 destinations. Their continued presence near the top reflects long-standing diplomatic relationships, stable visa agreements, and high levels of trust from immigration authorities worldwide.

Henley groups countries with identical scores under the same ranking, meaning several nations often share a position rather than appearing in strict numerical order.

Europe’s depth of passport strength

Five European countries occupy third place: Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Each provides visa-free access to 186 destinations, reinforcing Europe’s collective strength in global mobility.

Fourth place is also entirely European, with Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway all scoring 185. These results reflect the benefits of European Union membership, the Schengen Area, and extensive reciprocal visa agreements beyond the continent.

Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates share fifth place, each granting access to 184 destinations. While four are European Union members, the UAE stands out as the only Middle Eastern country in the top five.

UAE’s rapid rise

The United Arab Emirates has recorded the strongest long-term performance in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index. Since 2006, Emirati citizens have gained access to 149 additional destinations, propelling the country up 57 places in the rankings.

Henley & Partners attributes this rise to sustained diplomatic engagement, strategic visa liberalization, and expanding bilateral agreements. The UAE’s position reflects broader efforts to position the country as a global hub for business, travel, and investment.

At sixth place are Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, and Poland, each with access to 183 destinations.

Australia remains in seventh place alongside Latvia, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom, all scoring 182.

Declines for the UK and United States

Despite remaining within the top ten, the United Kingdom has experienced the steepest year-on-year decline on the index. UK passport holders now have visa-free access to 182 destinations, eight fewer than a year earlier.

Canada, Iceland, and Lithuania sit at eighth place with access to 181 destinations, followed by Malaysia at ninth with 180.

The United States returns to tenth place with access to 179 destinations after briefly dropping out of the top ten in late 2025. However, Henley notes that 37 countries now rank above the US, one more than at the end of last year.

Over the past 12 months, the US has lost visa-free access to seven destinations, placing it just behind the UK in annual decline. Over a longer timeframe, the US has recorded the third-largest fall in ranking over two decades, slipping from fourth place to tenth, behind only Venezuela and Vanuatu in overall decline.

Stability, diplomacy, and credibility

Analysts quoted in the Henley report emphasize that passport strength reflects broader geopolitical and domestic factors. “Passport power ultimately reflects political stability, diplomatic credibility, and the ability to shape international rules,” said Misha Glenny, journalist and rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.

He added that strained transatlantic relations and increasing domestic political volatility have contributed to reduced mobility for countries such as the US and UK, framing the trend as part of a wider geopolitical recalibration rather than a technical anomaly.

The widening mobility gap

At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains ranked 101st, with visa-free access to just 24 destinations. Syria follows at 100th with access to 26 destinations, and Iraq ranks 99th with 29.

The difference between the top-ranked and bottom-ranked passports now stands at 168 destinations, underscoring what Henley describes as a growing global mobility divide.

Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, said global mobility has expanded overall during the past two decades but unevenly. He noted that average gains mask a reality in which access is increasingly concentrated among economically powerful and politically stable nations.

Dual citizenship and alternative rankings

Henley & Partners also advises high-net-worth individuals on residency and citizenship options. The firm said that in 2025 it assisted clients from 91 nationalities, with Americans accounting for around 30% of its business.

At the same time, several European countries have tightened rules on citizenship by descent and curtailed so-called “golden passport” programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investment. In the United States, Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio has proposed legislation that would ban Americans from holding dual citizenship, though the proposal has not advanced.

The Henley Passport Index is one of several global rankings. Arton Capital’s Passport Index, which tracks 193 UN member states and six territories, places the UAE first in its Global Passport Power Rank 2026, followed by Singapore and Spain. Unlike Henley’s list, Arton updates its data in real time based on government sources.