The Henley Passport Index 2026: A Comprehensive Overview

The Henley Passport Index has released its latest rankings for 2026, highlighting the most powerful passports worldwide. Singapore retains its position at the top, granting its citizens visa-free access to 192 out of 227 destinations. Japan and South Korea are tied for second place, each allowing access to 188 destinations. A cluster of five European countries—Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland—occupy the third spot with access to 186 destinations. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway follow closely, all tied for fourth with access to 185 destinations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks fifth, alongside Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia, each with access to 184 destinations. The United States, after a brief drop in 2025, has returned to the top ten, now sitting at tenth place with access to 179 destinations.

CNNThe Straits TimesThe Independent

Despite its return to the top ten, the U.S. passport has experienced a significant decline in power over the past decade. It has fallen from fourth place in 2015 to tenth in 2026, losing access to seven destinations in the past year alone. This decline is mirrored by the U.K., which has also seen a drop in its ranking and visa-free access. Misha Glenny, a journalist and rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, notes that the erosion of mobility rights for the U.S. and U.K. reflects deeper geopolitical shifts and domestic instability.

The Independent

The UAE has shown the most significant improvement in the Henley Passport Index, climbing 57 places since 2006 and adding 149 visa-free destinations. This rise is attributed to sustained diplomatic efforts and visa liberalization policies. The index illustrates a widening gap in global mobility, with a stark difference of 168 destinations between the top-ranked Singapore and the lowest-ranked Afghanistan, which offers access to only 24 destinations.

The Straits TimesCNNThe Independent

The Henley Passport Index highlights the growing inequality in global mobility, where passport privilege increasingly shapes opportunities and economic participation. Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman at Henley & Partners, emphasizes that while global mobility has expanded, the benefits are not evenly distributed. This disparity is further exacerbated by the U.S. proposal to tighten visa requirements for travelers from allied nations, which could significantly limit mobility for many passport holders.

The Independent

Henley & Partners has stated that passport power reflects political stability and diplomatic credibility. The firm warns that the current trends in passport rankings signal a recalibration of global mobility rights, particularly for countries like the U.S. and U.K. The index serves as a critical tool for understanding the implications of passport strength on international relations and individual opportunities.

CNN

• “Passport power ultimately reflects political stability, diplomatic credibility, and the ability to shape international rules” — Misha Glenny, Journalist

The Independent

• “Over the past 20 years, global mobility has expanded significantly, but the benefits have been distributed unevenly,” — Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman at Henley & Partners

CNN

The Henley Passport Index for 2026 underscores the complexities of global mobility, revealing both the advantages enjoyed by certain nations and the challenges faced by others in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Independent