Henley & Partners has released the updated Passport Index for 2026. Discover the world’s most powerful passports, top-ranked countries, and key global mobility trends

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Henley & Partners has released the latest update of the Henley Passport Index, one of the most authoritative global rankings measuring passport strength worldwide. The index once again highlights growing inequality in global mobility, with Asian and European countries dominating the top positions, while other regions continue to lag behind.

Based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the ranking evaluates how many destinations passport holders can access visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or via electronic travel authorization (eTA). The 2026 edition covers 227 destinations worldwide.

We will talk about the most powerful passports in the world in 2026 in this article.

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What Is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without obtaining a visa in advance. Each passport receives one point per destination where no prior visa is required.

The index is widely used by:

- Іnternational travelers,

- Global professionals,

- Investors and entrepreneurs,

- Governments and policy analysts

- As a benchmark of international mobility and diplomatic influence .

Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World (2026)

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, passport rankings in 2026 clearly demonstrate how closely grouped the world’s most powerful passports have become. Multiple countries share the same rank due to identical levels of visa-free access.

1st place – Singapore (192 destinations)

Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. The country’s extensive diplomatic network and strong international trust continue to set the global benchmark for mobility.

2nd place – Japan & South Korea (188 destinations)

Both Japan and South Korea share second place, with access to 188 destinations each. Their consistently high rankings reflect long-standing bilateral agreements, economic influence, and stable international relations.

3rd place – European leaders (186 destinations)

Five European countries share third place, each granting access to 186 destinations: Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

This strong performance highlights the enduring power of EU and Schengen mobility, supported by coordinated visa policies and regional integration.

4th place – Core EU mobility hub (185 destinations)

A large group of European countries occupies fourth place with 185 visa-free destinations, underscoring Europe’s depth of passport strength rather than reliance on a single leader: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway

Together, these countries form the backbone of global visa-free travel for EU and EEA citizens.

5th place – Expanding global influence (184 destinations)

Four European states and one Middle Eastern country share fifth place with 184 destinations: Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates.

Notably, the UAE remains the highest-ranking passport in the Middle East, reflecting its aggressive expansion of visa-waiver agreements and growing geopolitical influence.

Why are so many countries in the Henley & Partners top 10?

Unlike traditional “top 10” lists, the Henley Passport Index groups countries by access score, not by a strict numerical limit. As a result, the top tier in 2026 includes more than 10 countries, illustrating:

- how narrow the gap has become among the world’s strongest passports;

- how regional blocs like the EU amplify individual country mobility;

- why small diplomatic shifts can significantly affect ranking positions.

The 2026 ranking confirms three major trends:

1. Asia sets the pace, with Singapore, Japan and South Korea leading globally.

2. Europe dominates by volume, offering the largest cluster of high-mobility passports.

3. Strategic diplomacy works, as shown by the UAE’s continued rise among traditional mobility powerhouses.

For travelers, entrepreneurs and internationally mobile professionals, passport strength is no longer just about tourism – it is a key indicator of global access, opportunity and resilience.

Passport opens borders, guide is the path to legal residence

Even the strongest passport in the world allows only short-term travel, but does not give the right to live, work or do business in another country. For this, a residence permit or other legal status is required.

The Immigration Guide from Visit World explains how to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit, as well as citizenship in different countries - taking into account the current requirements, costs and processing times.

Download the Visit World guide and head to meet your dreams.

Reminder! ETIAS will become mandatory from April 2027. We have already told you who the new rules for entering Europe apply to, how the system will work and what you need to prepare before traveling.

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