Singapore has once again been ranked as the world's most powerful passport in the July 2026 Henley Passport Index, released on July 2026, which also marks the index's 20th anniversary.
Singaporean passport holders can travel to 192 destinations worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance or by receiving a visa on arrival. The index evaluates access to a total of 227 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index is published by Henley & Partners using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). First launched in 2006, the index is updated several times a year to reflect changes in visa policies around the world.
Over the past two decades, Singapore has climbed dramatically in the rankings. When the index was first published in 2006, it ranked eighth globally. Today, it holds the top position.
The Widest Mobility Gap in the Index's History
In second place, the United Arab Emirates recorded the biggest rise since the January 2026 edition. It climbed three positions to join Japan and South Korea, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations.
Sweden ranked third with access to 187 destinations. It was followed by 11 other European countries that shared fourth place.
The United States remained in 10th place. It is now one of the few top-ranked countries whose citizens still require a visa to enter China.
At the opposite end of the ranking, Afghanistan remained last among the 199 passports evaluated. Afghan passport holders have access to only 22 destinations. This creates a mobility gap of 170 destinations compared with Singapore, the widest gap recorded since the Henley Passport Index was first introduced in 2006.
On average, passports now provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 108 destinations. This is a significant increase from just 58 destinations when the index was first launched two decades ago.
According to Henley & Partners, this edition's global top 10 includes 38 different passports. Many of them share the same ranking because they have identical mobility scores.
How Southeast Asian Passports Compare
Within Southeast Asia, Singapore remains far ahead of its regional neighbors.
Malaysia holds the region's second-strongest passport. It ranks seventh globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations. However, it slipped one place from the March 2026 edition, when it ranked sixth.
The confirmed rankings for five Southeast Asian countries in the July 2026 edition are as follows:
| Country | Global Rank | Visa-Free / Visa-on-Arrival Access |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 1 | 192 destinations |
| Malaysia | 7 | 183 destinations |
| Thailand | 63 | 77 destinations |
| Indonesia | 68 | 70 destinations |
| Philippines | 72 | 65 destinations |
The Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without obtaining a visa in advance or by receiving a visa on arrival. It has become one of the world's most widely cited measures of global mobility, frequently referenced by governments and international media whenever a new edition is released.
