The World’s Strongest and Weakest Passports in 2026
Key Takeaways
- Singapore leads the 2026 ranking, with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
- A 170-destination gap separates Singapore from Afghanistan, the world’s weakest passport.
- The UAE has added 153 visa-free destinations over the past 20 years, making it one of the ranking’s biggest climbers.
This graphic ranks the world’s strongest and weakest passports in 2026 using the latest Henley Passport Index.
The index measures the number of destinations passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa before departure, making it one of the most widely followed benchmarks of global travel freedom.
Singapore Holds the Top Spot
Singaporean passport holders can travel to 192 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.
| Passport | Visa-Free Destinations | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 192 | Asia |
| Japan | 188 | Asia |
| South Korea | 188 | Asia |
| UAE | 188 | Middle East |
| Norway | 186 | Europe |
| Switzerland | 185 | Europe |
| EU Countries* | 184 | Europe |
| UK | 184 | Europe |
| Malaysia | 183 | Asia |
| Australia | 183 | Oceania |
| Canada | 183 | North America |
| New Zealand | 183 | Oceania |
| Liechtenstein | 181 | Europe |
| Iceland | 180 | Europe |
| U.S. | 180 | North America |
| Monaco | 177 | Europe |
| Chile | 174 | South America |
| Hong Kong | 174 | Asia |
| Andorra | 170 | Europe |
| Argentina | 169 | South America |
| Brazil | 169 | South America |
Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share second place, with access to 188 destinations. Together, the results highlight Asia’s growing influence in global mobility.
European countries also dominate the upper ranks, with Norway, Switzerland, and many EU members offering visa-free access to more than 180 destinations.
The strength of European passports reflects decades of regional integration and extensive bilateral visa agreements. As a result, citizens across much of Europe enjoy some of the highest levels of travel freedom in the world.
The UAE’s Rapid Rise
One of the ranking’s most notable stories is the rise of the United Arab Emirates. Over the past 20 years, the country has added 153 visa-free destinations, transforming its passport from a relatively modest travel document into one of the world’s strongest.
The UAE’s rise reflects an active diplomatic strategy centered on expanding international partnerships and negotiating reciprocal travel agreements.
Travel Freedom Still Varies Widely
At the opposite end of the ranking, Afghanistan has the world’s weakest passport, providing visa-free access to just 22 destinations.
| Passport | Visa-Free Destinations | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 22 | Middle East |
| Syria | 25 | Middle East |
| Iraq | 28 | Middle East |
| Pakistan | 29 | Asia |
| Yemen | 30 | Middle East |
| Somalia | 32 | Africa |
| Nepal | 34 | Asia |
| North Korea | 35 | Asia |
| Bangladesh | 35 | Asia |
| Iran | 37 | Middle East |
| Palestine | 37 | Middle East |
| Eritrea | 38 | Africa |
| Libya | 39 | Africa |
| Sri Lanka | 39 | Asia |
| South Sudan | 41 | Africa |
| Sudan | 41 | Africa |
| Lebanon | 41 | Middle East |
| Ethiopia | 42 | Africa |
| Myanmar | 43 | Asia |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 44 | Africa |
| Nigeria | 44 | Africa |
Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen also rank near the bottom, reflecting the effects of prolonged conflict, political instability, and limited diplomatic agreements on international travel.
Travel rules continue to shift even among the highest-ranked passports. In recent years, both the UK and Canada secured visa-free access to China, while U.S. passport holders remain among the few travelers from top-ranked countries who still need a visa to enter the country.
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