The annual passport ranking once again shows how differently countries are integrated into the global world of mobility. In 2026, Asian countries remain in the lead, while Europe is steadily strengthening its position, occupying most of the top spots. Learn more about which passports open the most borders and how the balance of global mobility is changing around the world

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The new ranking of the world's most influential passports traditionally determines the level of global mobility of citizens of different countries. This year's results of the Henley Passport Index show an interesting trend: the Asian leader retains its lead, but the European continent has significantly strengthened its position, practically monopolizing the top 10 of the ranking.

Which countries provide their citizens with the widest opportunities for visa-free travel and how has the picture of global passport power changed — we will tell you more in this article.

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Singapore continues to dominate the global ranking

The Singapore passport has been recognized as the most powerful in the world for the second time in a row. Citizens of this small island nation have the right to enter 192 countries without a visa, making the Singapore passport the absolute leader in terms of global mobility. The Henley Passport Index, which has been in existence for two decades, bases its conclusions on official data from the International Air Transport Association, which guarantees the objectivity of the assessment.

Singapore's success is explained not only by the country's economic stability and high standard of living, but also by its active diplomatic policy aimed at expanding visa-free agreements. The state consistently concludes bilateral and multilateral agreements that simplify the movement of its citizens across borders. This result confirms Singapore's status as one of the most open and integrated centers in the global community.

Asian states maintain high positions

Two powerful Asian economies, Japan and South Korea, shared second place in the ranking. Passports from both countries provide access to 188 countries without the need for prior visa processing. Although this figure is slightly lower than Singapore's result, it still indicates an extremely high level of trust in the international community towards the citizens of these countries.

The presence of Asian countries in the top three reflects global changes in the geopolitical landscape in recent decades. Economic growth, political stability, and active participation in international organizations have allowed countries in the region to significantly strengthen the passport power of their citizens. This is especially noticeable when compared to figures from twenty years ago, when Asian passports lagged significantly behind European and North American ones.

Europe shows impressive results

Third place in the ranking was shared by Sweden and the United Arab Emirates, with access to 186 countries. It is noteworthy that the UAE is the only non-European country in this position, which highlights the rapid growth of its passport power and its successful diplomatic policy in recent years.

Thirteen countries, mainly European, tied for fourth place: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland. Their citizens can visit 185 countries without a visa. Such a concentration of European passports in the top positions indicates the high level of integration of the continent into the global system and mutual trust between states.

Fifth place was shared by Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal, with access to 184 countries. Sixth place was taken by Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, with visa-free access to 183 countries. In total, more than 30 European countries are represented in the top 10, which is an unprecedented indicator of continental concentration.

Not all European passports are the same

Despite the overall strength of European passports, some countries on the continent still have limited visa-free access. Belarus ranks 59th in the ranking, with visa-free access to only 77 countries. This is due to the political situation in the country and international sanctions, which significantly restrict the mobility of its citizens.

Kosovo performs slightly better, ranking 57th alongside China and Botswana, which rank 56th with access to 82 countries. At the same time, the country has made significant progress in recent years — since 2016, Kosovo has risen more than 30 positions in the ranking, indicating the gradual recognition of the state by the international community and the expansion of diplomatic ties. This example shows that passport power can grow significantly even in a relatively short period of time.

Significant changes for other regions of the world

The United Arab Emirates, which now ranks third in the ranking, has shown the most impressive dynamics over the past two decades. The country has risen more than 50 positions, which is an absolute record among all countries analyzed by the Henley Passport Index. In 2025, the UAE ranked tenth, and this year it surpassed the United Kingdom, which fell to seventh place. Such rapid progress is explained by active economic policy, investments in infrastructure, and the conclusion of numerous international agreements.

The United States currently ranks tenth with access to 179 countries. This is the same indicator as in 2025, when the country reached its lowest position in the history of the index. The stagnation of the American passport contrasts with its historical dominance and reflects changes in global politics and international relations.

What does passport power mean in today's world?

According to the head of the consulting firm Henley & Partners, passport privileges today play a critical role in shaping personal opportunities, security, and economic participation for citizens. Although the average level of visa-free access is increasing, the reality is that the benefits of global mobility are increasingly concentrated among the most economically powerful and politically stable countries.

This creates a new form of global inequality, where citizens of some countries have virtually unlimited access to the world, while others face numerous barriers. Passport power is becoming an indicator of economic opportunities, access to education, healthcare, and business in different parts of the world.

Are you planning to migrate or need advice?

If you are considering obtaining a second citizenship, applying for visas, or planning to move to another country, the specialists at Visit World are ready to provide professional support. Our migration lawyers have up-to-date information on visa regimes, citizenship programs, and the specifics of migration legislation in different countries.

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Reminder! Which countries became the richest in the world in 2026 and how did the global ranking change over the year? New economic indicators show who was able to increase their GDP and who lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. The ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 and the main changes of the year can be found at the link.

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