Singapore leads, Asia dominates
Asia continues to lead global travel freedom. Singapore holds the top position, allowing its citizens visa-free access to 192 destinations. It is followed by Japan and South Korea, which are tied for second place with access to 188 countries.A major highlight this year is the United Arab Emirates, which has climbed to fifth place, reflecting its strong diplomatic efforts and visa agreements.
At the opposite end of the ranking, Afghanistan remains last, with its citizens able to travel to just 24 destinations without a visa. The massive 168-country gap between the top and bottom shows how unequal global mobility has become — a gap that has grown steadily since 2006.
The index, now in its 20th year, is based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks passports according to how many countries they can enter without needing a visa.
According to Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, “Over the past two decades, global mobility has expanded, but not everyone has benefited equally. Passport power now plays a crucial role in determining economic opportunity, personal security, and global access.”
Top 10 most powerful passports in 2026
Asian and European countries dominate the top of the list. After Singapore, Japan and South Korea share second place, while several European nations fill the remaining top positions. Countries such as the UAE, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada also feature among the world’s strongest passports, showing how non-European nations are rising in influence.The slow decline of the US and UK
Although the United States has returned to the Top 10 in 2026, its overall trend has been downward. The US and the UK, which were joint number one in 2014, have both lost significant ground over the past decade.Over the last 20 years:
- The US has dropped from 4th to 10th place
- The UK has fallen from 3rd to 7th
UAE, China, and Eastern Europe on the rise
The United Arab Emirates is the biggest success story in the index. Since 2006, it has added 149 visa-free destinations, jumping 57 places to reach fifth position.Several countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe — including Albania, Serbia, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Georgia — have also climbed sharply, largely due to closer ties with the European Union.
China is another major mover, gaining 28 places in the last decade and now offering access to 141 destinations, reflecting its steady shift toward more open travel policies.
Mobility is becoming a form of soft power
The report points out a growing imbalance between how freely citizens can travel abroad and how open countries are to visitors.For example:
- US passport holders can travel to 179 destinations without a visa
- But the US allows only 46 nationalities to enter visa-free, ranking it 78th on the Henley Openness Index
Experts say this shift shows how openness is becoming a new form of global influence, where countries compete not only through trade or military strength, but through how welcoming they are to the world.
Stricter borders in the US and Europe
The Henley Global Mobility Report 2026 warns that proposed US border rules could end easy travel for citizens of 42 allied countries. Under the plan, visitors may need to submit extensive biometric and personal data, which could be stored for up to 75 years.In Europe, visa restrictions are also tightening. Schengen visa rejection rates for African travelers have increased from 18.6% in 2015 to 26.6% in 2024, even though application numbers have risen only slightly. Analysts argue these policies deepen inequality and create new barriers based on geopolitics rather than individual risk.