Singapore has ranked first on the 2026 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations worldwide. The ranking highlights the country’s strong global mobility and international travel access.
According to aviationa2z, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share the second spot with 187 visa-free destinations each. At the opposite end, Afghanistan remains the weakest passport in the world with access to just 23 destinations, followed by Syria at 26 and Iraq at 29.
Strongest and Weakest Passports in 2026
The 2026 Henley Passport Index, published by Henley & Partners, ranks 227 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
The data draws from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and covers visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorization access.
Singapore’s lead at 192 destinations represents 85% of the world’s travel destinations. The gap between the strongest and weakest passports spans nearly 170 destinations, a figure that underscores the unequal distribution of global mobility based on nationality.
European and East Asian countries dominate the top tier. Northern and Western European nations like Norway and Switzerland both provide access to 185 destinations. Meanwhile, conflict-affected and politically unstable nations cluster at the bottom, with most offering fewer than 50 visa-free destinations.
Asia and Europe Lead the Strongest Passport Rankings
Singapore’s 192-destination lead places it ahead of a three-way tie at second place. Japan, South Korea, and the UAE each offer 187 visa-free destinations to their citizens.
The UAE holds the distinction of being the strongest passport outside East and Southeast Asia. However, Emirati citizens still lack visa-free access to the United States, unlike holders of Singapore, Japan, or South Korea passports.
Norway and Switzerland follow at 185 destinations each. The European Union, despite its unified passport system, shows internal variation. Individual member states range from 177 destinations for Bulgaria and Romania to 186 for Sweden. The EU average stands at 183, tying with Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
Australia, Canada, and New Zealand share the 10th spot with 182 visa-free destinations. The United States ranks 14th with 179, tied with Iceland. Latin American passports also perform well in the upper tier, with Chile and Hong Kong at 174, Argentina and Brazil at 168.
Weakest Passports Reflect Conflict and Instability
The bottom of the index tells a different story. The 21 weakest passports all provide access to fewer than 45 destinations, less than a quarter of what top-ranked countries offer.
Afghanistan sits at the bottom with just 23 visa-free destinations, representing only 10% of the world. Syria follows at 26, while Iraq provides access to 29 countries. Pakistan and Yemen tie at 31 destinations each.
African nations also rank low on the index. Nigeria offers access to 44 destinations, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 43, and Somalia to just 32. These countries face tighter visa restrictions globally, influenced by factors including political instability, high emigration rates, and large diaspora populations.
South Asian nations beyond India also appear in the lower ranks. Nepal and Bangladesh provide access to 35 and 36 destinations, respectively. Sri Lanka ranks at 39, alongside Libya.
Passport Power as a Measure of Global Inequality
The data reveals patterns that extend beyond travel convenience. African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian passports consistently rank below their European and Western Hemisphere counterparts.
Even higher-ranking exceptions like Malaysia (183) and the UAE (187) face restrictions on visa-free entry to certain major destinations, particularly the United States.
Geography, diplomatic relationships, and national stability remain the primary drivers of passport strength.
Citizens of top-ranked countries enjoy near-universal mobility, while those at the bottom face significant barriers to international travel, education, and economic opportunity. The passport gap serves as one of the clearest measures of global inequality in a connected world.
