In 2026, passport power reached a record gap between the world’s strongest and weakest passports. The Henley Passport Index has recorded significant changes: the rise of Asian and Middle Eastern passports, the weakening of the positions of the US and the UK, as well as new entry rules for Europe. Learn more about where you can travel with your passport and what has changed in visa regulations

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Your passport determines the limits of your mobility. Depending on your nationality, some people travel without any bureaucratic hurdles, while others are forced to go through lengthy visa application processes. In 2026, the gap between the world’s most powerful and least powerful passports reached record levels—and understanding exactly where your passport grants you access has become an essential part of planning any trip.

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Why do passports have different “power”?

Each country independently determines which countries’ citizens are allowed entry without a prior visa. These decisions depend on several factors: diplomatic relations between countries, the economic stability of the issuing country, security levels, and participation in international organizations. The result is that two passports—even from neighboring countries—can have radically different levels of visa-free access.

The primary tool for assessing passport power is the Henley Passport Index, which has been in existence for two decades and is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The ranking covers 199 passports and 227 destinations, is updated quarterly, and takes into account only ordinary passports—excluding diplomatic or service documents.

Passport power is measured by the number of countries a citizen can enter without a prior visa. This includes visa-free travel, visas on arrival, and electronic visas (eVisas).

About the richest and poorest countries in Europe in 2026 — read here.

Travel With Passport List: Top Ranked Passports in 2026 

According to the Henley Passport Index (April 2026), the leaders in global mobility are as follows:

1st place — Singapore (192 destinations). Singapore continues to dominate the global ranking. This result reflects the country’s consistent diplomatic policy aimed at expanding visa-free agreements, as well as the international community’s high level of trust in the citizens of this state.

2nd place — Japan, South Korea, and the UAE (187 destinations). The United Arab Emirates rose to second place in the ranking, sharing it with two Asian economies. Over the past 20 years, the UAE has made a record leap—up 57 positions—adding 149 visa-free destinations.

The presence of three non-European countries among the top two reflects global shifts in the geopolitical landscape.

3rd place — Sweden (186 destinations). Sweden is the only country in third place, confirming the consistently high passport power of this Scandinavian nation.

4th place — Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland (185 destinations). Twelve countries tied for one position—an unprecedented concentration that attests to the overall strength of European passports.

5th place — Austria, Greece, Malta and Portugal (184 destinations).

6th place — Hungary, Malaysia, Poland and the United Kingdom (183 destinations). The British passport continues to lose ground: in 2006, it ranked 3rd, and has now dropped to 6th.

10th place — Iceland and the United States of America (179 destinations). Over the past 20 years, the U.S. passport has dropped six spots in the ranking (from 4th to 10th place), marking the third-largest decline after Venezuela and Vanuatu.

About visa changes in April 2026 — we discuss them in this article.

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Passport Visa Free Countries by Citizenship 

Passport power varies significantly by region. Here is an overview of key nationalities and their opportunities in 2026.

● European Union. Citizens of most EU countries have visa-free access to 181–186 destinations. Thanks to the Schengen Area, they can move freely between the 27 EU countries and 4 associated states. Additionally, visa-free agreements are in place with most countries in Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. However, passports from certain European countries outside the EU are significantly weaker—in particular, Belarus ranks only 59th in the ranking.

● Turkey. A Turkish passport provides visa-free or simplified access to over 110 countries, including most of Latin America and Asia. Turks require a visa to travel to EU and Schengen Area countries.

● India. The Indian passport rose 10 positions in 2026 and ranks 75th. Indian citizens have visa-free access to approximately 60–70 destinations, primarily in Asia and Africa. A visa is required for travel to Europe, the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

● China. Over the past decade, China has climbed 28 spots and ranks 59th, with access to 81 destinations.

At the same time, China is actively opening its own borders—over the past two years, the country has granted visa-free access to more than 40 additional countries as part of a strategy of diplomatic openness.

● Countries with the weakest passports. At the opposite end of the ranking are Afghanistan (101st place, 24 destinations), Syria (100th place, 26 destinations), Iraq (99th place, 29 destinations), as well as Pakistan and Yemen (98th place, 31 destinations). The gap between Singapore and Afghanistan is 168 destinations—in 2006, this difference was only 118.

In which countries can you obtain citizenship in less than 3 years—we explained this in a previous article.

Visa Restrictions by Nationality: Global Mobility Gap 

The 2026 ranking highlights a growing gap between the most and least mobile countries. According to Dr. Christian Kelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and author of the index, passport privileges today play a decisive role in shaping citizens’ opportunities, security, and economic participation. The average score for visa-free access is rising, but the benefits of mobility are increasingly concentrated among economically powerful and politically stable nations.

This inequality is illustrated by another indicator—the Henley Openness Index. It assesses how many nationalities each country allows to enter without a visa. For example, the U.S. allows visa-free entry to only 46 nationalities (78th out of 199), while China allows 77 (62nd). This is one of the world’s largest gaps between a passport’s outbound mobility and a country’s actual openness.

Where in Europe is it hardest to obtain citizenship in 2026 — we explain here.

Tools for checking visa requirements

Before planning a trip, it’s important to check the current entry requirements for your chosen country. Visa rules change regularly, so relying on past travel experiences or advice from friends is risky.

The most reliable way to check is through passport indices and visa checkers. These services allow you to select your citizenship and destination country and instantly see what type of authorization is required: visa-free entry, eVisa, visa on arrival, or full consular processing.

Some of them also show the maximum length of stay and passport requirements.

In addition to the type of visa, it’s worth paying attention to a few important details.

1. Passport validity. Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least 3–6 months after your planned departure date.

2. The 90/180-day rule, which applies in the Schengen Area and a number of other regions. Stay is limited to 90 days within any 180-day period.

3. Transit visas. Some countries require a separate permit even for a layover at the airport.

Additional sources of up-to-date information include the websites of the destination country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and airline databases, which verify passengers’ documents before boarding. Airlines use IATA’s Timatic system—the same database on which global passport rankings are based. Therefore, checking requirements via the airline’s website before departure provides the most current information.

Changes in 2026 to keep in mind

2026 brings several significant changes to the global travel system.

● Launch of ETIAS in Europe. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is set to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026. The system will apply to citizens of 59 countries that currently travel to the Schengen Area without a visa—including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. ETIAS requires submitting a short online application and paying a fee of 20 euros. The authorization will be valid for three years or until the passport expires. Following the system’s launch, there will be a transition period of approximately six months during which travel without ETIAS will still be possible. The system is expected to become mandatory in 2027.

● EES (Entry/Exit System). The EU Entry/Exit System began operating in October 2025 and is being gradually implemented at all external borders of the Schengen Area, with full coverage expected by April 2026. The EES collects biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) from all third-country nationals when they cross the border and automatically tracks the duration of their stay. Passport stamps are gradually being replaced by digital records.

● Expansion of U.S. entry restrictions. As of January 1, 2026, the United States has imposed full or partial entry restrictions on citizens of 39 countries. Additionally, stricter requirements under the Visa Waiver Program are being discussed, which could complicate visa-free travel to the U.S. for citizens of participating countries.

● Growth in passport power in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Over the past decade, the countries showing the greatest growth in the ranking were Kosovo (+38 positions), Ukraine (+34), Serbia (+30), Bosnia and Herzegovina (+29), and North Macedonia (+27). This trend is linked to regional integration and rapprochement with the EU.

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Reminder! Eight African countries offer foreign investors a residence permit in exchange for investments in real estate, business, or bank deposits. Minimum thresholds range from $50,000 to $1 million, and conditions vary significantly, from immediate permanent residency to renewable permits with no path to citizenship. For more on current investment residency programs in Africa and their actual terms in 2026, follow the link.

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