World Passport Ranking: Strongest Passports Compared
Singapore holds the strongest passport in the world, with access to 193 of 227 destinations without a prior visa. That figure comes from the Henley Passport Index released October 9, 2026, where Afghanistan ranks last with 22. Ask what passport is the strongest, though, and each index gives a different answer. This guide explains why.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore ranks first in the Henley Passport Index (October 9, 2026 edition), with access to 193 of 227 destinations without a prior visa.
- Afghanistan ranks last in the Henley Passport Index (October 2026), with access to 22 destinations, 171 fewer than Singapore.
- The United Arab Emirates passport ranks first on Arton Capital’s Passport Index in 2026, with a record mobility score of 182.
- The U.S. passport ranks 10th on the Henley Passport Index (October 2026) with 180 destinations, but 39th on the La Vida Passport Value Index (June 2026), which weights access by GDP.
- Schengen consulates received nearly 12 million short-stay visa applications in 2025 and refused about 1 in 7, according to European Commission data published May 28, 2026.
What Is the World Passport Ranking?
A world passport ranking is an index that orders national passports by how many destinations their holders can enter without a visa obtained in advance. The Henley Passport Index is the most cited world passport ranking. Henley & Partners scores 199 passports against 227 destinations, drawing on travel data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Readers usually ask who publishes these rankings and whether the lists agree. Five organizations do. Here are the indices people search for most:
- Henley & Partners publishes the Henley Passport Index, built on IATA Timatic, the database airlines check at boarding.
- Arton Capital publishes the Passport Index, which updates in real time and ranks by a “mobility score.”
- La Vida Golden Visas publishes the Passport Value Index, which weights each destination by its share of world gross domestic product (GDP) and tourism.
- Immigrant Invest publishes a Passport Index that ranks 193 countries against 4 goals: travel, asset protection, quality of life, and a “Plan B.”
- Nomad Capitalist publishes the Nomad Passport Index, which adds taxation, global perception, dual citizenship, and personal freedom to visa-free travel.
The lists don’t agree. Each index answers a different question, so each one crowns a different winner.
Which Country Has the Strongest Passport in the World?
Singapore has the strongest passport in the world on the Henley Passport Index. The October 9, 2026 edition gives Singapore passport holders access to 193 of 227 destinations without a prior visa. Second place goes jointly to Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with 188 destinations each, according to Henley & Partners.
How wide is the lead? Singapore gained 1 destination between July and October 2026 and now sits 5 destinations clear of the second-place group. Ties explain the crowd: 38 passports fill the top 10 ranks because tied scores share a rank.
Top 10 passports in the Henley Passport Index (October 2026)
| Rank | Passport | Destinations without a prior visa |
| 1 | Singapore | 193 |
| 2 | Japan, South Korea, UAE | 188 |
| 3 | Sweden | 187 |
| 4 | Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain | 186 |
| 5 | Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Switzerland | 185 |
| 6 | Hungary, Malaysia, Poland, United Kingdom | 184 |
| 7 | Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Slovenia | 183 |
| 8 | Croatia, Estonia | 182 |
| 9 | Liechtenstein, Lithuania | 181 |
| 10 | Iceland, United States | 180 |
Source: Henley Passport Index, October 9, 2026 edition, as reported by VisasNews.
Malaysia climbed furthest. Henley’s list shows it moving from 9th place with 180 destinations in January to 6th place with 184 in October, the biggest top-10 move of 2026.
[YOUR EXPERIENCE: one sentence on what a top-10 passport changed for a client or for you, for example a trip planned with no consulate visit. Name the passport, the destination, and the date.]
Which Country Has the Weakest Passport?
Afghanistan has the weakest passport in the world. In the October 2026 edition, the Henley Passport Index ranks Afghanistan last, in 106th place, with access to 22 destinations without a prior visa. Singapore sits 171 destinations ahead, up from a 170-destination gap in July 2026.
Why do these passports rank so low? Journalist Misha Glenny, writing in Henley’s 2026 report, ties passport power to political stability and diplomatic credibility. Visual Capitalist, analyzing Henley data, names prolonged conflict and limited visa agreements as what the bottom ranks share.
Bottom 5 passports in the Henley Passport Index (October 2026)
| Passport | Destinations without a prior visa |
| Afghanistan | 22 |
| Syria | 25 |
| Iraq | 28 |
| Pakistan | 29 |
| Yemen | 30 |
Source: Henley Passport Index, October 9, 2026 edition, as reported by VisasNews.
The gap has grown over 20 years. Back in 2006, the top-ranked U.S. passport led Afghanistan by 118 destinations, Gulf News reported from Henley data. By October 2026, the gap stood at 171 destinations.
Why Do Passport Indices Disagree About the Best Passport in the World?
Passport indices disagree because each index counts access differently. The Henley Passport Index excludes pre-approved eVisas and names Singapore first. Arton Capital’s Passport Index counts eVisas issued within 3 days, which puts the UAE on top. On the La Vida Passport Value Index, access is weighted by GDP, so Singapore leads again and the U.S. falls to 39th.
Which index should you trust? That depends on the decision in front of you, so the table below sets the 5 indices side by side.
One question, five rankings
| Index | Publisher | What the index counts | Passport ranked first | Edition |
| Henley Passport Index | Henley & Partners | Visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and electronic travel authorizations (ETAs); pre-approved eVisas excluded | Singapore, 193 destinations | October 9, 2026 |
| Passport Index | Arton Capital | Visa-free entry, visa on arrival, ETAs, and eVisas issued within 3 days; ties broken by the UN Human Development Index | UAE, mobility score 182 | May 2026 |
| Passport Value Index | La Vida Golden Visas | Visa-free access weighted by share of world GDP and share of world tourist arrivals | Singapore, 99.5% of world GDP | June 2026 |
| Passport Index (4 goals) | Immigrant Invest | Travel freedom plus asset protection, quality of life, and “Plan B” scores across 9 indicators | Ireland, 96.7 points for travel freedom | Undated on the index page |
| Nomad Passport Index | Nomad Capitalist | Visa-free travel (50%), taxation (20%), plus perception, dual citizenship, and personal freedom (10% each) | Ireland | 2025 |
Which index to use for which decision
- Use the Henley Passport Index to check how many places accept your passport at the airport, because Henley builds on the IATA data airlines use.
- Use Arton’s Passport Index to check access that includes fast eVisas, because Arton counts eVisas issued within 3 days.
- Use the La Vida Passport Value Index to judge business reach, because La Vida weights each destination by economic size.
- Use the Nomad Passport Index to compare citizenships for tax and lifestyle planning, because Nomad scores taxation and dual citizenship.
How Are Passport Rankings Calculated?
Passport rankings are calculated by counting the destinations a passport holder can enter without a visa approved in advance. Henley & Partners gives a passport 1 point for each destination that allows visa-free entry, a visa on arrival, or an ETA. A destination that requires a pre-approved visa, including a standard eVisa, scores 0 points.
Does a visa on arrival count as visa-free? On both Henley and Arton, yes. The two indices split on eVisas, though, and that split explains part of the gap between their winners.
How each access type is scored
| Access type | What the traveler does | Henley Passport Index | Arton Passport Index |
| Visa-free | Shows a passport at immigration | Counts | Counts |
| Visa on arrival | Pays for or receives a visa at the border | Counts | Counts |
| Electronic travel authorization (ETA) | Applies online for a short pre-screening before travel | Counts | Counts |
| eVisa | Applies online and waits for approval | Does not count | Counts if issued within 3 days |
| Visa required | Applies at an embassy or consulate | Does not count | Does not count |
Rank and score are different numbers. Henley ranked the U.S. 10th in October 2026, yet 36 passports hold higher scores, because tied passports share each rank above it.
Where Does the U.S. Passport Rank?
The U.S. passport ranks 10th on the Henley Passport Index. The October 2026 edition gives U.S. passport holders access to 180 destinations without a prior visa, tied with Iceland. VisasNews reported that the passport briefly dropped out of Henley’s top 10 in late 2025 and returned in 2026.
Why has the U.S. fallen? In 2006, its passport ranked first on Henley’s index, shared with Finland and Denmark. Gulf News reported that over 20 years the U.S. suffered the third-largest ranking decline of any passport. The La Vida Passport Value Index ranks the U.S. 39th in June 2026, because U.S. holders reach 80.2% of world GDP visa-free.
Why Has the UAE Passport Risen So Fast?
The UAE passport has risen fast because the UAE government has negotiated visa waivers at scale since 2017. The UAE Passport Force Initiative, launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017, is what Arton Capital credits for the rise. Arton reports a climb from 88th place to first in less than a decade.
Henley’s index shows the same gain. The Emirati passport sat 5th with 184 destinations in January 2026 and shared 2nd place with 188 in October 2026. Visual Capitalist, working from Henley data, reports that the UAE added 153 visa-free destinations over 20 years.
Does a Strong Passport Mean No Paperwork Before Travel?
No, a strong passport does not remove all paperwork before travel. Many “visa-free” destinations now ask for an online travel authorization before departure. The U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) costs $40.62 for applications approved from October 16, 2026, under a fee adjustment published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Which other authorizations apply? The table lists the 3 systems most readers meet.
| System | Destination | Fee | Status as of October 2026 |
| ESTA | United States | $40.62 | Required for Visa Waiver Program travelers |
| UK ETA | United Kingdom | £20, valid for 2 years | Required for visa-exempt travelers |
| ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) | 30 European countries | €20 | Launch moved to a 2027 target, confirmed by eu-LISA |
Henley counts most ETAs as visa-free access. So a top-ranked passport still needs an online form and a fee for several major destinations.
Does Your Passport Ranking Affect Visa Approval?
Yes, nationality strongly affects visa approval rates. Schengen consulates received nearly 12 million short-stay visa applications in 2025 and refused about 1 in 7, according to European Commission data published May 28, 2026. Refusal rates by nationality ranged from 4.1% for Chinese applicants to 51.9% for Senegalese applicants.
Does a passport’s rank cause the refusal? Not by itself. Consulates assess each applicant’s finances and travel history alongside the documents submitted, but nationality still shifts the odds. Indian applicants faced a 15.8% refusal rate in 2025, ETV Bharat reported from Commission data.
[YOUR EXPERIENCE: one client case. State the passport, the visa type, the consulate, the outcome, and what changed on a second application, if one was made.]
How Can You Travel More With a Weak Passport?
A weak passport travels further when its holder adds a strong visa or residence permit. Visa Traveler counted 55 countries open to holders of a valid U.S. visa in March 2026. Georgia, for one, admits holders of a valid U.S. visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, Wego reported from Georgia’s foreign ministry.
Where to start? Follow these 6 steps in order.
- Check your passport’s current access on the Henley Passport Index or on Arton’s Passport Index.
- List the destinations you need for work, study, or family.
- Apply for a multiple-entry U.S., UK, or Schengen visa when you have a genuine reason to visit that country.
- Build a travel record by using the visa as issued and leaving on time.
- Check each destination’s entry rules for visa holders before booking, because some countries, such as Mexico, require the visa to stay valid for the whole trip.
- Confirm entry rules on the destination government’s website or with your airline in the week before departure.
Montenegro admits holders of a valid Schengen visa for up to 30 days, Wego reported in 2026. Rules shift often, so every trip needs a fresh check.
Is a Second Citizenship Worth It for a Stronger Passport?
It depends on 3 factors: cost, time, and whether your current country allows dual citizenship. A second passport adds the most to a weak first one. La Vida Golden Visas notes that a second citizenship is worth only the access it adds on top of the passport a person already holds.
Which route fits? The table compares the 4 common routes.
| Route | Typical requirement | Time to a passport | Best fit |
| Naturalization through residence | Years of legal residence, plus language or civics tests in many countries | Varies by country: 5 years (U.S.), 4 years (Australia), 10 years (Portugal, Switzerland) | Long-term movers |
| Citizenship by descent | A parent or grandparent who held the citizenship | Depends on document checks | People with eligible ancestry |
| Citizenship by investment (CBI) | A government donation or approved investment | About 3 months (Grenada, St. Lucia) to 3 to 6 months (Dominica); St. Kitts and Nevis targets 120 to 180 days | Investors who need speed |
| Residency by investment (golden visa) | An investment that grants residence first, citizenship later | Follows that country’s naturalization timeline | Investors who plan to live there |
Residence figures come from USCIS and Immigrant Invest. The CBI timings are the issuing units’ published targets, as compiled by Private Law Wiki, and files needing enhanced checks run longer. Malta has no figure: the EU Court of Justice ruled its scheme contrary to EU law on April 29, 2025.
On its passport ranking page, accessed October 2026, La Vida lists CBI donations starting from $235,000 for Grenada and $200,000 for Dominica. Its own index places the Grenada passport 63rd, with 179 destinations.
Check one rule before starting any route. Some top-ranked countries restrict dual citizenship, which is partly why the Nomad Passport Index ranks Singapore and Japan lower.
Conclusion
Gaps in the world passport ranking are widening. Arton Capital reported that only 11 countries improved their mobility scores in 2026, compared with 24 in 2025, and that its World Openness Score fell to its lowest level since 2023. Arton expects the gap between strong and weak passports to keep widening through 2027.
Three changes will shape the next editions. ETIAS is due to start in 2027 and will add a €20 step for visa-exempt visitors to 30 European countries. Meanwhile, the UAE and Malaysia keep climbing on Henley’s list. Between July and October 2026, the gap between Singapore and Afghanistan widened from 170 destinations to 171.
Henley’s passport ranking 2026 editions show that a strong passport now buys access, not freedom from paperwork. Before each major trip, check your passport’s current world wide passport rank. If it needs a visa for the places you visit most, plan a second visa or residence permit. Don’t skip the check.
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Michael Reynolds
Michael Reynolds leads immigration content at ImmigrationWin, covering visa requirements, application and relocation pathways. He researches immigration policies and official government guidance to explain changing rules clearly. His guides help students, families, and professionals make informed decisions about moving abroad.
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