**Henley Passport Index 2026: Full Ranking, Top Passports, India's Rise & What It Means for Global Travelers**

The **Henley Passport Index 2026** is out, and it once again highlights the stark realities of global mobility in an increasingly connected yet divided world. Released with monthly updates in 2026, this authoritative ranking from Henley & Partners — powered by exclusive IATA Timatic data — evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations. It measures how many places holders can visit **without a prior visa** (including visa-on-arrival, eTA, or visitor permits).

In February 2026, **Singapore** retains the top spot with visa-free access to **192 destinations** — a record that underscores Asia’s rising diplomatic clout. At the other end, **Afghanistan** remains last with just **24 destinations**, creating a historic **168-destination gap** (widened from 118 in 2006). This divide has never been larger in the index’s 20-year history.

For Indian passport holders, the news is encouraging: India has climbed to **75th position** with **56 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations** — up 10 places from 85th in 2025. While the absolute number dipped slightly from last year due to policy changes in a couple of countries, the ranking improvement reflects stronger bilateral ties and eased access in key markets.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler, business professional, or someone planning a family vacation, understanding the **Henley Passport Ranking 2026** can transform how you approach international trips, investments, and even long-term relocation. This comprehensive guide breaks down the full 2026 rankings, key trends, India’s performance, and practical tips.

### What Is the Henley Passport Index? History, Methodology & Why It Matters

The **Henley Passport Index** (originally the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index) launched in 2006 as the world’s first comprehensive ranking of passport power. Over two decades, it has become the gold standard for global mobility analysis, cited by governments, media, and travelers alike.

**How the scoring works** (simple yet robust):

- **1 point** — No visa required, or visa on arrival (VOA), electronic travel authority (eTA), or visitor’s permit available on entry.

- **0 points** — Prior visa, government-approved e-visa, or pre-approval needed.

The index uses real-time, exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) — the most accurate travel database — and is updated monthly to reflect diplomatic shifts, policy changes, and geopolitical events.

**Key stats for 2026**:

- 199 passports ranked

- 227 destinations evaluated

- Global average: 108 destinations

- Record clustering at the top (multiple countries tied for high ranks)

- Widening mobility gap: Top vs. bottom difference now 168 destinations

This isn’t just a travel ranking. A powerful passport means easier business deals, family visits, medical tourism, education abroad, and emergency evacuations. It also influences investment migration decisions — Henley & Partners reports a 28% surge in residence and citizenship applications in 2025, with Indians among the top five nationalities seeking second passports.

### Henley Passport Index 2026: Key Highlights & Global Trends

**Singapore dominates for the third consecutive year**  

With 192 destinations, Singapore’s passport reflects masterful diplomacy, strong economic ties, and ASEAN leadership. Asian passports now occupy the top three spots — a historic shift from Europe’s long dominance.

**Europe still packs a punch**  

A record number of European Union and Schengen-area passports cluster in the upper ranks, benefiting from free movement across 27+ countries plus global agreements.

**UAE continues its meteoric rise**  

The United Arab Emirates is the biggest gainer over 20 years (+149 destinations, +57 places). It now sits in the top 5, showcasing how strategic visa liberalization and economic diversification pay off.

**US and UK face long-term decline**  

The United States returned to the top 10 (10th, 179 destinations) after a brief dip, but it has lost 6 places since 2006. The UK sits at 7th but shed 8 destinations in the latest update. Both face challenges from post-Brexit realities, stricter global policies, and shifting alliances.

**Widening global divide**  

While top passports gain or hold steady, bottom-ranked ones are increasingly isolated. Geopolitical tensions, security concerns, and migration policies are hardening borders for many African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian nations.

**India’s steady progress**  

The jump to 75th signals improved diplomatic outreach, new visa-waiver agreements, and stronger ties with African and Caribbean nations. However, the slight dip in absolute destinations (from 57 in 2025 to 56 now) shows that gains can be fragile — Iran and Bolivia recently removed visa-on-arrival options for Indians.

### Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in Henley Passport Index 2026

Here’s the official February 2026 top 10 (visa-free scores):

1. **Singapore** — 192  

2. **Japan** — 187  

2. **South Korea** — 187 (tied)  

3. **Sweden** — 186  

3. **United Arab Emirates** — 186 (tied)  

4. **Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland** — 185 (large tie)  

…  

10. **United States** — 179  

**Why these passports win**:

- **Singapore, Japan, South Korea** — Masterful use of soft power, trade agreements, and tourism diplomacy.

- **European powerhouses** — Schengen Area + strong bilateral deals.

- **UAE** — Aggressive visa liberalization and Gulf economic influence.

### Full Henley Passport Ranking 2026 Overview (Key Groups)

**Top Tier (180+ destinations)**  

European and Asian leaders dominate. Malaysia (9th, 180) stands out as the strongest Southeast Asian passport after Singapore.

**Mid Tier (140–179)**  

Strong performers include Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and emerging stars like Chile, Argentina, and Israel. Eastern European nations (Poland, Czechia, etc.) continue climbing.

**India at 75th (56 destinations)**  

Tied with Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritania, and Algeria.

**Lower Mid Tier (80–120)**  

Many African, South American, and Central Asian countries. China sits around 57th–60th with 81 destinations, showing rapid gains.

**Bottom 10 (Least Powerful Passports 2026)**  

90. Iran — 40  

91. Libya, Palestinian Territory, Sri Lanka — 39  

92. Eritrea — 38  

93. Bangladesh — 37  

94. North Korea — 36  

95. Nepal — 35  

96. Somalia — 33  

97. Pakistan — 32  

98. Yemen — 31  

99. Iraq — 29  

100. Syria — 26  

101. Afghanistan — 24  

The bottom remains dominated by nations facing sanctions, conflict, or limited diplomatic relations.

### India’s Performance in Henley Passport Index 2026: A Detailed Analysis

**Current standing**: 75th position (up from 85th in 2025 and around 80th in early January 2026).  

**Visa-free / VOA / eTA score**: 56 destinations.

This is India’s best ranking in recent years, though still far from its historical peak of 71st in 2006. The improvement stems from new agreements with African nations (e.g., The Gambia added in the February update), stronger Caribbean ties, and eased access in Southeast Asia.

**Complete list of destinations Indian passport holders can access without a prior visa (as of February 2026)**:

**Visa-Free / ETA**  

- Barbados  

- Bhutan  

- British Virgin Islands  

- Cook Islands  

- Dominica  

- Fiji  

- Grenada  

- Haiti  

- Indonesia  

- Jamaica  

- Jordan (eTA)  

- Kazakhstan  

- Kenya  

- Kiribati  

- Laos  

- Macao (SAR China)  

- Malaysia  

- Mauritius  

- Micronesia  

- Mongolia  

- Montserrat  

- Nepal  

- Niue  

- Oman (eTA)  

- Qatar (eTA)  

- Rwanda  

- Saint Kitts and Nevis  

- Saint Lucia  

- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  

- Samoa  

- Senegal  

- Seychelles  

- Singapore (eTA)  

- South Korea (K-ETA)  

- Sri Lanka (eTA)  

- Thailand (eTA)  

- Timor-Leste  

- Trinidad and Tobago  

- Tunisia  

- Vanuatu  

**Visa on Arrival**  

- Burundi  

- Cambodia  

- Cape Verde Islands  

- Comoros  

- Djibouti  

- Ethiopia  

- Guinea-Bissau  

- Madagascar  

- Malawi  

- Maldives  

- Mauritania  

- Mozambique  

- Palau  

- Papua New Guinea  

- Sierra Leone  

- Somalia  

- Tanzania  

- Togo  

- Tuvalu  

- Uganda  

- Zambia  

- Zimbabwe  

- The Gambia (new addition)  

**Note**: Iran and Bolivia removed visa-on-arrival options in 2025–2026, causing the slight absolute drop despite the ranking gain.

**What this means for Indian travelers**  

- **Africa & Caribbean** — Strongest gains; ideal for tourism, business, and medical travel.  

- **Southeast Asia** — Easy short-haul trips to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore.  

- **Europe & North America** — Still require visas, but improved ties (e.g., with France, Germany) speed up processing.  

- **Business & Leisure** — 56 destinations cover popular honeymoon spots, wildlife safaris, beach getaways, and emerging markets.

### Biggest Risers & Fallers Over 20 Years

**Biggest riser**: UAE (+149 destinations, +57 ranks)  

**Other strong climbers**: Kosovo (+38 ranks), Ukraine (+34), Serbia (+30), China (+28 in last decade)  

**Biggest decliners**: Bolivia (lost 5 destinations), United States (–6 ranks since 2006), United Kingdom (–4 ranks)

### How to Leverage Your Passport Power in 2026

**For Indian citizens**:

1. Maximize the 56 easy-access destinations — plan multi-country trips in Africa or the Caribbean.

2. Use eTA/VOA countries for spontaneous travel (Thailand, Singapore, South Korea).

3. Consider second citizenship or residency programs (Henley reports huge demand from Indians) for Schengen/EU access.

4. Stay updated — check the official Henley site monthly, as rankings shift with new agreements.

**General tips**:

- Always verify entry rules on official government websites or IATA Timatic (airline staff use it).

- Carry proof of onward travel, sufficient funds, and return tickets.

- Apply for visas early for high-demand destinations.

- Explore investment migration — many top-ranked passports are available via golden visa or citizenship-by-investment routes.

### Future of Passport Rankings: What to Expect in 2026–2027

IATA predicts 5.2 billion air passengers in 2026 — the highest ever. Yet mobility remains unequal. Trends to watch:

- More eTA systems (like the UK’s upcoming ETA from 2026).

- Geopolitical shifts affecting Russia, China, and Middle East passports.

- Climate and health-related travel restrictions.

- Continued rise of Asian and Gulf passports.

### Conclusion: Your Passport Is Your Most Valuable Asset

The **Henley Passport Index 2026** is more than a list — it’s a mirror of global power, diplomacy, and opportunity. Singapore’s reign, Europe’s resilience, the UAE’s spectacular rise, and India’s 10-place jump all tell stories of strategic engagement.

For the 1.4 billion Indians, the climb to 75th is progress worth celebrating — and building upon. Every new visa-waiver agreement opens doors to education, business, culture, and adventure.

Bookmark the official Henley Passport Index page, download the latest PDF ranking, and plan your next trip wisely. In 2026, the world is more open than ever — but only to those with the right passport.

**Safe travels!**