The value of a passport is determined not only by the number of visa-free countries, but also by the tax regime, the right to dual citizenship, and access to international labor markets. In 2026, the leaders of the Henley Passport Index ranking differ significantly in these criteria in each region of the world. Learn more about the best citizenships in different parts of the world and what makes them so valuable

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Passport rankings are usually reduced to a single indicator—the number of countries with visa-free access. The Henley Passport Index publishes such data annually, and news headlines rarely go beyond this figure. However, the real value of citizenship is determined by a much broader set of factors: the tax system, the possibility of dual citizenship, the reputation of the passport at borders, the right to reside in other jurisdictions, and access to financial infrastructure.

In 2026, the gap between the strongest and weakest passports reached 168 destinations — a record in the index's 20-year history. At the same time, the leaders in the ranking are not at all equal.

Which citizenship is the most valuable in each major region of the world, why the visa-free rating is only part of the picture, and which passports are best suited for a multi-citizenship strategy — we will discuss this further in the article.

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Singapore: the strongest passport in Asia and the world

For the third year in a row, the Singapore passport ranks first in the Henley Index with visa-free access to 192 countries. Japan and South Korea share second place with 188 destinations, but no other Asian country comes close to Singapore's result. The advantages of citizenship in this city-state include a territorial taxation system, no capital gains or inheritance tax, and a maximum personal income tax rate of 22%. Singapore consistently ranks at the top of global indices of rule of law, economic freedom, and personal safety.

At the same time, Singaporean citizenship has a fundamental limitation: a complete ban on dual citizenship. Accepting the passport of another country automatically means losing Singaporean citizenship. For individuals who are building a portfolio of multiple citizenships, this becomes a decisive barrier. South Korea looks more attractive in this context: it allows dual citizenship under certain conditions, making it a more practical option for a multi-passport strategy. However, in terms of overall advantages as a standalone citizenship, Singapore remains unrivalled in the Asian region.

In which countries of the world is triple citizenship permitted in 2026 — read here.

Why is the Irish passport considered the best in Europe?

The formal leader in Europe for visa-free access is Sweden, ranked third in the Henley Index with 186 destinations. Ireland follows in fourth place with 185 countries. The difference of one position does not reflect the real value of these passports. Irish citizenship provides full access to residence and employment in all European Union countries, as well as similar rights in the United Kingdom through the Common Travel Area, an agreement that remains in force after Brexit. No other EU passport combines these two advantages at the same time.

Ireland does not apply taxation based on citizenship. A naturalized Irish citizen residing in a jurisdiction with territorial taxation will have no tax obligations to Dublin, unlike an American passport, which provides for global taxation regardless of place of residence. An Irish passport also raises few questions at borders: the country maintains more than 80 diplomatic missions with a population of only five million. It is estimated that around 80 million people worldwide are of Irish descent, and several million of them in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and Argentina are potentially eligible for citizenship through parents or grandparents born in Ireland. For the rest, the path to naturalization is five years of residence.

Which European countries have the easiest conditions for naturalization— we discussed this in our previous article.

Chilean citizenship: the most advantageous in Latin America

Chile ranks 12th in the world ranking with visa-free access to 174 countries. Brazil and Argentina lag behind with 169 destinations. The difference of five positions looks modest on paper, but in practice it has one critical advantage: Chile is the only country in Latin America that participates in the Visa Waiver Program to the United States. Chilean citizens enter the United States through the ESTA electronic system, without the need for a visa interview.

Chilean passports carry additional weight due to the country's membership in three supranational blocs. Participation in MERCOSUR provides the right to reside in virtually all of South America. The Pacific Alliance links Chile with Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. Membership in APEC provides access to the organization's business card, which simplifies entry into Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and a number of other countries. Dual citizenship is permitted, and naturalization is possible after five years of residence. That is why the combination of Irish and Chilean passports is called the most effective pair in the world — it covers Europe, Great Britain, both Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region with just two documents.

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Canada or the US: who leads in North America?

Canada ranks eighth in the Henley index with access to 181 countries. The US fell to tenth place with 179 destinations, dropping out of the top ten for the first time in a long time at the end of 2025. In twenty years, the American passport has lost six positions — from fourth to tenth place, which is the third largest drop in the history of the index.

Canadian citizenship surpasses American citizenship in several key areas. Canada allows dual citizenship without restrictions and does not apply citizenship-based taxation — after obtaining non-resident status, Canadians are no longer required to file tax returns in Canada. American citizens, on the other hand, are required to declare their worldwide income regardless of their country of residence, and FATCA reporting further complicates financial planning. A Canadian passport also ensures minimal control at immigration points around the world, and the country consistently ranks among the top ten in terms of quality of life, political stability, and personal safety. Canada's consular network covers more than 150 countries.

Where in Europe is the cheapest place to buy real estate in 2026— read here.

UAE: the most powerful and inaccessible passport in the Middle East

The United Arab Emirates passport has shown unprecedented growth: from 62nd place in 2006 to fifth place in 2026, with access to 184 destinations. The jump of 57 places is an absolute record in the history of the Henley Index. Today, the Emirati passport ranks ahead of those of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Behind this growth are two decades of active diplomatic work: since 2015, the UAE has concluded visa-free agreements with the EU, Russia, China, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, and dozens of other countries. Emirati citizens do not pay income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax.

The main caveat concerns the accessibility of this citizenship. The UAE Golden Visa offers a five- and ten-year residence permit with the possibility of renewal, but it does not lead to naturalization. Emirati citizenship is granted solely at the discretion of the rulers and remains virtually closed to foreigners. For those seeking truly attainable citizenship in the Middle East and North Africa region, the strongest alternative is Israel with its Law of Return, which grants citizenship to persons of Jewish origin.

By the way, we previously talked about the cheapest countries to live in in 2026.

Mauritius: Africa's best citizenship for global mobility

The formal leader of the African ranking is the Seychelles, which ranks approximately 26th in the index with access to about 156 destinations. Mauritius ranks 27th with approximately 147 destinations. The difference in visa-free access is in favor of the Seychelles, but in terms of a comprehensive assessment of citizenship, Mauritius is significantly ahead of its neighbor.

The Mauritian tax system is based on the territorial principle: foreign income that is not transferred to the country is not taxed. There is no capital gains, inheritance, or wealth tax. Mauritians by birth or origin are entitled to dual citizenship — a flexibility that the Seychelles largely does not offer its citizens. The country has also developed a strong financial services sector with a well-regulated banking system and an extensive network of double taxation agreements in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Mauritius offers a well-established path to residency through investment with

the subsequent possibility of naturalization — an attractive option for those considering immigration for investment purposes.

New Zealand vs Australia: who wins in Oceania?

New Zealand and Australia are neck and neck in the rankings: sixth place out of 183 destinations and seventh place out of 182, respectively. Both countries are linked by the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement, which allows citizens of each country to live and work in the neighboring country indefinitely. This means that holders of either passport automatically have access to the labor market of both countries.

New Zealand's key advantage is its tax regime. The country does not levy capital gains tax, wealth tax, gift tax, or inheritance tax. Australia, on the other hand, taxes capital gains on most assets and applies a higher overall tax burden to residents. For investors and entrepreneurs, this difference is significant. New Zealand allows dual citizenship without restrictions, and the Active Investor Plus Visa program opens the way to a residence permit through investment with the right to citizenship after five years. The country consistently ranks among the top ten in terms of quality of life, economic freedom, and political stability.

How to choose the best citizenship: what to consider?

Visa-free passport ranking is an important criterion, but it is far from the only one. The Singaporean passport is the most powerful in the world in terms of the number of destinations, but it requires renouncing all other citizenships. The Irish passport opens up both the EU and the UK.

The Emirati passport is rapidly gaining ground, but remains virtually closed. The Chilean passport provides the widest coverage among Latin American passports thanks to membership in three supranational blocs and visa-free access to the US.

The choice of the optimal citizenship or combination of citizenships depends on specific goals: where a person plans to live, how they earn a living, what tax obligations they are willing to bear, and how important it is to be able to hold several passports at the same time. Understanding these nuances is the first step towards a balanced decision on immigration.

To legally reside in another country, an expat must obtain a residence permit, which in the future opens the way to citizenship. The procedure and requirements for applicants differ in each country, so it is difficult to navigate this process without structured information.

You can find up-to-date information on obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in any country in the world in the immigration guide from the Visit World portal. The PDF guide will be sent to your email address in just a few minutes and contains step-by-step instructions for applying for documents on various grounds, a complete list of required documents, the cost and processing time for applications, requirements for applicants, rules for filling out the application form, information about the relevant government agency, and practical advice for moving.

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Reminder! In 2026, you can get a higher education in Europe at an affordable price or even for free, depending on the country and language of instruction. Each country has its own admission requirements, preparatory programs, and opportunities for foreign students. Read about the five most advantageous countries in Europe for applicants at the link.

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