Worlds Most Powerful Passport 2026: The latest Henley Passport Index 2026 has been released, revealing which passports offer the greatest global mobility. The ranking once again highlights the growing gap between the world’s strongest and weakest passports—while also bringing a positive update for Indian travellers.
Singapore Retains Title of World’s Most Powerful Passport
For the second consecutive year, Singapore has secured the top position as the world’s most powerful passport. Singaporean passport holders can travel to 192 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, making it the most globally accessible travel document in 2026.
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index, with access to only 24 destinations without a prior visa.
Top 10 Strongest Passports in the World (2026)
Here’s a snapshot of the leading passports according to the Henley Passport Index 2026:
- Rank 1: Singapore – 192 destinations
- Rank 2: Japan, South Korea – 188 destinations
- Rank 3: Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland – 186 destinations
- Rank 4: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway – 185 destinations
- Rank 5: Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates – 184 destinations
India’s Passport Ranking Improves in 2026
In encouraging news, India has moved up to 80th position, sharing the rank with Algeria. Indian passport holders can now travel to 55 countries without a prior visa.
This marks a notable improvement from 2025, when India slipped to the 85th rank. The rise reflects gradual diplomatic progress, improved bilateral ties, and expanded international travel access for Indian citizens.
Pakistan Still Lags Behind
Neighbouring Pakistan has seen only a marginal improvement, climbing to 98th position in the 2026 ranking. Pakistani passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 31 destinations, keeping the country among the weakest passports globally, alongside nations such as Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
UAE Makes a Historic Leap into Top 5
One of the biggest movers this year is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE passport has jumped five positions to rank 5 globally, overtaking traditional powerhouses like New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada and the US.
With access to 184 visa-free destinations, the UAE’s rise is attributed to aggressive diplomatic outreach, relaxed visa policies, and strengthened international relations.
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What the Henley Passport Index Shows
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. The 2026 edition underscores how geopolitics, diplomacy, and global cooperation continue to shape travel freedom worldwide.
For Indian travellers, the upward movement signals slow but steady progress—while global leaders like Singapore and Japan continue to dominate international mobility.
Yogesh Kolhe is a market and business news author with a focus on the automobile sector and gold and silver price movements, offering readers practical insights into industry and market trends.
