Singapore has kept its crown as the world’s most powerful passport for 2026. Singaporeans have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 out of 227 destinations around the world. The index includes 199 different passports globally. According to the Henley Passport Index, Singapore boasts the most powerful passports for seven years in a row. In fact, the city-state topped the index throughout 2025. Here’s what we know about the 2026 ranking:
Which countries join Singapore in the Top 10 most powerful passports for 2026?
The 2026 Henley Passport Index highlights how Singapore passport holders have visa-free travel to more countries than anyone else globally. This means that they benefit from hassle-free trips, shorter immigration queues, and flexible last minute getaways.
Additionally, Japan and South Korea remained in second place sharing the spot together. Meanwhile, the #3 spot is shared by a whopping five European countries including Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. These nations have visa-free travel to 186 countries.
Although, each nation lost visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to countries like Pakistan, Somalia, Bolivia, and Mauritania. Interestingly, Malaysia makes a strong showing in ninth place with access to 180 destinations globally.
Here’s the top 10 most powerful passports for 2026:
- Singapore (192 countries)
- Japan, Korea (188)
- Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (186)
- Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway (185)
- Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates (184)
- New Zealand, Poland, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta (183)
- Australia, Latvia, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein (182)
- Canada, Iceland, Lithuania (181)
- Malaysia (180)
- United States (179)
On the other hand, Afghanistan still ranks as the worst passport worldwide with access to just 24 countries without a visa. While countries like Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen are also the world’s least powerful passports according to the 2026 index.
The passports have been ranked quarterly for more than 20 years using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The largest and most accurate travel information from IATA is then analysed by Henley & Partners based on how many countries passport holders can travel to without a visa prior to arrival such as the Singapore passport. See the Global Passport Ranking 2026.
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