SINGAPORE — Singapore has retained the world's most powerful passport, allowing its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index, reinforcing the city-state's position at the top of the global mobility ranking.
The July 2026 edition of the index, released by London-based residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners and based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association's Timatic database, kept Singapore in first place despite an increasingly complex global travel environment.
Singaporean passport holders can currently enter 192 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, either through visa-free access or by receiving a visa on arrival. The ranking reflects the breadth of travel access available to passport holders rather than the volume of international travel undertaken.
The United Arab Emirates was the biggest climber in the latest rankings, rising three places since January to share second place with Japan and South Korea, with access to 188 destinations. Sweden ranked third with access to 187 destinations, followed by a group of European Union member states tied on 186 destinations.
Henley & Partners said the average passport worldwide now provides access to 108 destinations without a prior visa, compared with 58 destinations when the index was first introduced in 2006. The firm said the increase reflects two decades of expanding international mobility despite heightened geopolitical tensions.
According to the report, the passport rankings are compiled using Timatic data supplied by the International Air Transport Association and measure visa-free and visa-on-arrival access across 227 travel destinations. The index is updated periodically to reflect changes in visa policies implemented by governments around the world.
The latest report also noted that global mobility has continued to expand even as the world faces growing geopolitical uncertainty and a decline in overall peacefulness, citing findings from the Institute for Economics and Peace's Global Peace Index. Henley & Partners said the contrast underscores how diplomatic engagement and bilateral visa agreements continue to shape international travel access.
Singapore has consistently ranked among the world's strongest passports in recent years, reflecting its extensive network of reciprocal travel arrangements and visa-waiver agreements. The latest index, released on July 21, confirms the city-state remains in the top position as governments continue to adjust border and visa policies worldwide.
