Singapore has the world's most powerful passport in 2026. According to the July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, Singaporean citizens can enter 192 of 227 destinations without a visa arranged in advance. Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates share second place with 188. The United Kingdom ranks 6th with 184 destinations, the United States ranks 10th with 180, and Afghanistan is last with access to just 24.
How the Henley Passport Index works
The Henley Passport Index, published by the investment migration firm Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks 199 passports by how many of 227 travel destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. A destination counts if you can travel visa-free, get a visa on arrival, or obtain an electronic travel authorization that does not require prior government approval. Countries that score the same share a rank, which is why many ranks include several countries.
The top 10 most powerful passports in 2026
- 1st: Singapore, 192 destinations
- 2nd: Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, 188
- 3rd: Sweden, 187
- 4th: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, 186
- 5th: Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland, 185
- 6th: Hungary, Poland and the United Kingdom, 184
- 7th: Australia, Canada, Czechia, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovakia and Slovenia, 183
- 8th: Croatia and Estonia, 182
- 9th: Liechtenstein and Lithuania
- 10th: United States, 180
The rise of the UAE and the fall of the US passport
The UAE is the index's biggest long-term success story, now tied for second place after years of new visa-waiver agreements. The United States has moved in the opposite direction. CNN's analysis of the index's 20-year history describes the American passport's slide from 1st place to 10th, as other countries signed more reciprocal visa-free deals while the US offered fewer in return. In the latest edition the US score did improve slightly, from 179 to 180 destinations.
The world's weakest passports
Afghanistan remains at the bottom with visa-free access to 24 destinations, the only passport below 25. Syria and Iraq sit just above it. Henley & Partners notes that the gap between the strongest and weakest passports has grown from 118 destinations in 2006 to 168 in 2026, a reminder of how much conflict and instability limit people's freedom to travel.
Singapore's 20-year climb
A decade ago Singaporeans could reach 173 destinations visa-free. By 2026 that number had risen to 192. Singapore's diplomatic strategy of negotiating visa waivers with almost every major economy, combined with its reputation for low overstay rates, explains most of that climb.
What passport rankings mean if you plan to move abroad
A strong passport makes travel easier, but it does not give you the right to live or work in another country. Visa-free entry is almost always limited to short tourist or business stays, often 90 days. To relocate you will still need a residence permit, work visa, digital nomad visa or similar. Before you plan a move:
- Check the destination's official immigration website for the length of stay allowed on your passport.
- Remember that the Schengen Area counts 90 days in any 180-day period across all member countries combined.
- Look into long-stay options such as digital nomad visas, which many countries now offer.
- Compare cost of living and taxes, not just visa access; our country guides cover both.
Other passport rankings
The Henley index is the most widely cited ranking, but not the only one. Arton Capital's Passport Index uses a different method and publishes a live ranking that can differ from Henley's. When numbers disagree, the explanation is usually a different treatment of visas on arrival or electronic travel authorizations.
