The Henley Passport Index for 2026 has been released, revealing minimal shifts at the top of the global rankings. Singapore has once again secured its position as the world’s most powerful passport, granting holders visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Japan and South Korea remain jointly in second place, each offering visa-free entry to 188 destinations, underscoring Asia’s continued dominance in global mobility. In third place are Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, all providing access to 186 destinations.
They are followed by a historic cluster of ten European nations — Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway — tied for fourth place.
Rounding out the top tier are several high-ranking passports from beyond Europe. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks fifth, followed by New Zealand in sixth, Australia in seventh, Canada in eighth, and Malaysia in ninth place, according to the Henley report.
At the other end of the scale, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index, with its citizens able to access only 24 destinations without a prior visa. The 168-destination gap between Singapore and Afghanistan highlights the extent of global mobility inequality in 2026 — a divide that has dramatically widened since 2006, when the spread between the top-ranking US passport and Afghanistan stood at 118 destinations.
“Over the past 20 years, global mobility has expanded significantly, but the benefits have been distributed unevenly,” said Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index.
“Today, passport privilege plays a decisive role in shaping opportunity, security, and economic participation, with rising average access masking a reality in which mobility advantages are increasingly concentrated among the world’s most economically powerful and politically stable nations.”
Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), noted that a record number of travelers is expected in 2026. “The economic and social benefits generated by international travel continue to grow as it becomes more accessible,” he said. “However, while more people can now afford to travel, many are finding that a passport alone is no longer enough to cross borders.
As governments seek to tighten border security, policymakers should not overlook technological solutions like digital IDs and digital passports. Convenient travel and secure borders can go hand-in-hand.”
The United States has returned to the top 10 ranking after falling out briefly in late 2025, while the United Kingdom also remains among the world’s most mobile nations. However, both countries have experienced a sustained decline from their shared first-place position in 2014.
Over the past year, the US and UK recorded their steepest annual drops in visa-free access, losing access to seven and eight destinations respectively. Over two decades, the US has seen the third-largest ranking decline, slipping six places from fourth in 2006 to tenth in 2026, trailing only Venezuela and Vanuatu among the biggest global fallers.
The UK has registered the fourth-largest decline, dropping four places from third in 2006 to seventh this year.
The UAE stands out as the strongest long-term performer on the Henley Passport Index. Since 2006, it has added 149 visa-free destinations and soared 57 places to fifth in the 2026 rankings, with visa-free access to 184 destinations. This remarkable rise reflects the country’s proactive diplomacy and strategic efforts in visa liberalization.
Countries across the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe have also posted major advances in global mobility over the past two decades. Albania leads this group, climbing 36 positions to 43rd place. Ukraine follows closely with a 34-place rise to 30th.
Serbia has advanced 30 positions to 34th, North Macedonia has moved up 27 spots to 38th, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia both gained 29 and 26 positions respectively, now sharing 42nd place. These gains collectively highlight the impact of enhanced regional cooperation and closer alignment with major global partners.
In contrast, Bolivia is the only country on the index to experience an overall decline in visa-free access over the past 20 years. It has lost five visa-free destinations and fallen 32 places, ranking 61st in 2026.
.jpg)
.jpg)
 (1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
