In a new ranking of the world's most powerful passports for 2026, Singapore remains steady in the number one spot for the second year in a row. The city-state's passport once again came out on top in the first 2026 ranking, allowing its holders to travel to 192 countries visa-free.
While it remains in the top spot, the number of visa-free countries available to Singapore's citizens has dropped from its record-setting 195 visa-free countries in the January 2025 rankings. Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are tied in second place, all able to travel to 187 out of the 227 countries and territories included in the Henley Passport Index visa-free. It is the highest the UAE has ever ranked, climbing from fifth place in the January rankings, and more than 60 spots since the Index began.
Sweden sits alone in third place, with its passport allowing access to 186 visa-free countries, while Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland all tie for fourth place, with 185 countries.
See the full list of the world's most powerful passports at the end of this page.
How are the world's most powerful passports ranked?
The world's most powerful passports are ranked in The Henley Passport Index, compiled by consultancy firm Henley & Partners based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The rankings show the world's most powerful passports, and the latest 2026 rankings, released on Monday, 13 April, show the latest standing for the world's 199 different passports. According to this data, a passport's power is determined by how many countries are accessible and visa-free for a nation’s citizens.
The UAE passport has climbed three positions in the latest 2026 rankings to number 2, tied with Japan and South Korea, with 187 countries available visa-free. It remains the only Arab nation in the top 10, marking the biggest power shift of any passport in the world over the past decade, rising a staggering 60 places. The Henley & Partners report says the country’s ascent is the result of "sustained diplomatic engagement and visa liberalisation.”
The UK passport has risen one place from seventh to sixth, climbing from 182 visa-free countries to 183. The US passport remains in 10th place after continuing to slip through the ranks in recent years, with its holders now able to visit 179 countries visa-free, down two from 2025's mid-year rankings. It has been more than a decade since the UK and the US jointly held 1st place on the index in 2014.
The world’s most powerful passports for 2026
- Singapore (192 countries)
- Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates (187)
- Sweden (186)
- Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland (185)
- Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal (184)
- Hungary, Malaysia, Poland, United Kingdom (183)
- Austria, Canada, Czechia, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Slovenia (182)
- Croatia, Estonia (181)
- Liechtenstein, Lithuania (180)
- Iceland, United States (179)
- Bulgaria, Romania (177)
- Monaco (176)
- Chile, Cyprus, Hong Kong (SAR China) (174)
- Andorra (169)
- Argentina, Brazil (168)
- San Marino, Israel (166)
- Barbados, Brunei (163)
- The Bahamas (158)
- St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (157)
- Mexico (156)
This story has been updated with new information since its original publication date. The original version of this story was published on Condé Nast Traveller UK
