Singapore Tops 2026 Passport Index as US Falls to 10th Place
The Henley Passport Index released in July 2026 ranks Singapore at the summit with visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 192 destinations, keeping its lead for a second consecutive year.
The United Arab Emirates jumps to second place, sharing the spot with Japan and South Korea, granting its citizens visa‑free travel to 188 countries – the largest increase recorded in the index’s 20‑year history, adding 153 new destinations since 2006.
The United States slips to tenth place, allowing travel to 180 destinations, a noticeable decline in perceived geopolitical capital; Afghanistan remains at the bottom with access to only 22 destinations.
Other notable movements include Austria sharing fifth place with 185 visa‑free destinations, Poland climbing into the top‑ten (sixth) with 184, Brazil positioned at 16th, and India and Pakistan holding ranks of 81st and 101st respectively.
The report also highlights a correlation between passport strength and global peace, noting that the most powerful passports tend to belong to the world’s more stable and peaceful nations.