Global Passport Power Divide Widens in 2026 Rankings
The latest Henley Passport Index reveals a stark and growing divide in global travel freedom. The gap between the world's strongest and weakest passports has expanded significantly, driven by diplomatic relations, economic strength, and geopolitical stability.
Singapore Maintains Top Position
Singapore retains its crown as the world's most powerful passport in 2026. Citizens of Singapore enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 192 destinations worldwide. This represents the highest level of global mobility currently available.
Afghanistan Remains at the Bottom
At the opposite extreme, Afghanistan once again ranks last in the global index. Afghan passport holders can access only 24 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. This creates a massive 168-destination mobility gap between Singapore and Afghanistan.
The current gap represents a significant expansion from 2006. Back then, the difference between the top-ranked US passport and Afghanistan stood at just 118 destinations. The widening chasm reflects persistent challenges including conflict, political instability, and limited diplomatic recognition for Afghanistan.
Asian Dominance Continues
Asian nations continue to lead global mobility rankings. Japan and South Korea share second place, with each offering visa-free access to 188 destinations. This strong performance demonstrates Asia's growing influence in global affairs and travel diplomacy.
European countries dominate the next tier. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland jointly hold third place with access to 186 destinations. A record ten European countries are tied for fourth position, reflecting Europe's sustained dominance in high-ranking passports.
Non-European Strong Performers
While Europe controls the upper tiers, several non-European nations continue to perform exceptionally well. The United Arab Emirates ranks fifth globally, driven by aggressive visa liberalization policies and active diplomacy. New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Malaysia all maintain positions within the global top ten.
US and UK Experience Mixed Fortunes
The United States has re-entered the top ten in 2026, ranking tenth with visa-free access to 179 destinations. This represents a recovery after the US briefly dropped out of the top tier in late 2025.
However, this rebound masks a longer-term decline for both the US and UK. Once joint number one in 2014, both countries recorded their steepest annual losses in visa-free access over the past year. Since 2006, the US has fallen six places globally, marking the third-largest decline worldwide. The UK has slipped four places over the same period, ranking seventh in 2026.
India's Passport Performance
India continues to lag behind many emerging peers in passport power. The country ranks 80th globally in 2026, with access to just 55 visa-free destinations. Despite making incremental gains over recent years, India remains well below the global average.
This position reflects limited reciprocal visa agreements and ongoing challenges in travel diplomacy. Indian passport holders face significant restrictions compared to citizens of other major economies.
Understanding the Index
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on how many destinations holders can access without obtaining a prior visa. The index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, enhanced by research from Henley & Partners.
With more than twenty years of historical data, the index serves as a crucial benchmark for travel freedom. Governments, policymakers, and global citizens widely reference these rankings when assessing mobility and diplomatic relations.
The growing divide revealed in the 2026 rankings highlights how geopolitical factors increasingly shape individual travel opportunities worldwide.
