In the 2026 Henley Passport Index, Singapore ranks first with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea with 187, while European countries remain among the global leaders in visa-free access.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN (MERXWIRE) – As global travel continues to rebound, the number of destinations a passport can access is no longer just a symbol of travel convenience—it has become a key measure of mobility freedom. According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index, Singapore holds the world’s most powerful passport, with access to 192 visa-free destinations. Japan and South Korea follow closely with 187 destinations each. Overall, European countries continue to dominate in visa-free access, with European passports maintaining a clear advantage in global travel convenience.
Top 10 Passports in the 2026 Henley Passport Index (including ties):
| Rank | Passport | Global Visa-Free Access (Out of 226 Destinations) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan、South Korea、United Arab Emirates | 187 |
| 3 | Sweden | 186 |
| 4 | Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland | 185 |
| 5 | Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal | 184 |
| 6 | Hungary, Malaysia, Poland, United Kingdom | 183 |
| 7 | Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Latvia New Zealand, Slovakia, Slovenia | 182 |
| 8 | Croatia, Estonia | 181 |
| 9 | Liechtenstein, Lithuania | 180 |
| 10 | Iceland, United States | 179 |
A closer look at the latest index shows that European passports continue to lead in global mobility. Sweden ranks third, with access to 186 destinations, while countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland each offer access to 185 destinations. Most of these countries are part of the Schengen Area—or closely integrated with it—allowing seamless regional travel. Combined with long-standing stable foreign policies, these factors contribute to the high level of global mobility enjoyed by European passport holders.
Among English-speaking countries, the United Kingdom ranks sixth with access to 183 destinations. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are tied for seventh, each with 182 destinations. The United States and Iceland are tied for tenth, with 179 destinations each. While these countries have large economies, their passport access has seen limited growth, preventing further gains in ranking.
Notably, Taiwan ranks 31st, with access to 134 visa-free destinations. While it trails behind Asia’s top performers, it remains in the upper-middle tier globally, reflecting a competitive level of international mobility. Elsewhere in Asia, Thailand ranks 59th with 76 destinations, Indonesia 63rd with 70, and India 76th with 56, highlighting significant disparities in mobility across the region.
At the bottom of the ranking, Afghanistan remains last, with access to just 24 destinations. Syria and Iraq follow, with 26 and 29 destinations respectively. Ongoing political instability and limited international cooperation make international travel significantly more difficult for citizens of these countries. This also reflects ongoing challenges in diplomatic trust, restricting opportunities for work, study, and travel abroad.
Passport strength reflects not only travel convenience but also a country’s diplomatic relationships, economic power, and global standing. As global dynamics evolve, visa policies and international cooperation will continue to shape the rankings. Changes in reciprocal visa agreements, geopolitical developments, and economic conditions can all influence passport mobility—affecting global migration, cross-border business, and international collaboration. As a result, passport rankings remain a key indicator of global influence.
