World’s Most Powerful Passport for 2026

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When it comes to global mobility, not all passports are created equal—and once again, one country holds the golden ticket to the world.

The newly released Henley Passport Index for 2026 confirms Singapore’s position at the top of the global rankings for yet another year, with its citizens able to access an impressive 192 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. This authoritative ranking, which evaluates 199 passports across 227 travel destinations, underscores the growing importance of passport power in an increasingly interconnected world.

Asian Excellence Meets Nordic Strength

While Singapore stands alone at the summit, Japan and South Korea share second place with access to 188 destinations—a testament to Asia’s rising influence in global affairs and the diplomatic bridges these nations have built over decades.

The top tier reveals a fascinating geographic diversity. Third place is dominated by European nations, with Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland all tied at 186 visa-free destinations. This quintet of countries demonstrates the continued strength of European Union membership and long-standing diplomatic relationships.

Fourth place sees an even larger European coalition, with Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Norway all sharing access to 185 destinations. The presence of Norway—a non-EU member—in this elite group highlights how passport power extends beyond formal political unions to encompass broader diplomatic success.

The fifth spot introduces an intriguing outlier: the United Arab Emirates joins Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia with 184 visa-free destinations. The UAE’s inclusion represents a remarkable diplomatic achievement for a relatively young nation and reflects its strategic investments in global relationships and economic partnerships.

Traditional Powers Face New Competition

At sixth place, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, and Poland round out the rankings at 183 destinations, while seventh place sees Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom tied at 182.

Canada appears in eighth place alongside Iceland and Lithuania, all offering access to 181 destinations. For Canadian travelers accustomed to easy global movement, this ranking confirms the continued strength of their passport, though no longer at the very top of the global hierarchy.

Malaysia claims the ninth spot solo with 180 visa-free destinations.

Perhaps most surprising for many Americans, the United States rounds out the top ten in tenth place with access to 179 destinations. This represents a notable decline from historical highs when the US passport was often considered the world’s most powerful. The shift reflects changing global dynamics and, some analysts suggest, the impact of increasingly restrictive American immigration policies, prompting reciprocal measures from other nations.

The Top Ten Rankings:

1. Singapore – 192 destinations

2. Japan, South Korea – 188 destinations

3. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland – 186 destinations

4. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway – 185 destinations

5. Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates – 184 destinations

6. Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, Poland – 183 destinations

7. Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom – 182 destinations

8. Canada, Iceland, Lithuania – 181 destinations

9. Malaysia – 180 destinations

10. United States – 179 destinations