Singapore retains the world’s strongest passport in the July 2026 Henley Passport Index, while the UAE’s record-breaking rise places it joint second with Japan and South Korea.
A passport can say far more about a country than where its citizens can travel. In 2026, it is increasingly a reflection of diplomatic reach, international partnerships and global connectivity, and few countries demonstrate that shift more clearly than the UAE.
The July 2026 Henley Passport Index places Singapore at the top of the global ranking, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. The UAE has climbed three places since January to share second position with Japan and South Korea, each offering access to 188 destinations. Sweden follows in third with 187.
The UAE’s rise becomes even more striking when viewed over two decades.
When the index began in 2006, Emirati passport holders had access to just 35 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. Twenty years later, that figure has reached 188; an increase of 153 destinations, the largest improvement recorded by any passport in the index’s history.
The World’s Top Five Passport Rankings
| 2026 Rank | Passport(s) | Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | UAE, Japan, South Korea | 188 |
| 3 | Sweden | 187 |
| 4 | Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain | 186 |
| 5 | Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Switzerland | 185 |
The index evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations, using exclusive IATA data supplemented by Henley & Partners’ research. Globally, the average passport now provides access to 108 destinations without a prior visa, compared with 58 when the index launched two decades ago.
For the UAE, however, the story extends beyond travel convenience. Henley & Partners attributes its record improvement to sustained diplomatic engagement and international cooperation, demonstrating how relationships between countries can translate into greater mobility for citizens.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, describes passport strength as an expression of a country’s “geopolitical capital”, shaped by how other nations value it as a partner in areas such as trade, investment, security and cooperation.
For the UAE, moving from 35 accessible destinations to 188 in two decades captures that evolution in a single number. Its passport has not simply moved up a ranking; it has become a measurable reflection of the country’s expanding international connectivity and relationships.
Source(s): Henley & Partners, Henley Passport Index; International Air Transport Association (IATA).
