World’s most powerful passport list released! This country retains its top spot for the third consecutive year; check India, Pakistan’s ranking

The Henley Passport Index is the only one of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.

Singapore has been ranked as the title of the world’s most powerful passport, whereas India’s passport stood at the 80th position, sharing this stand with Algeria and Niger, as per the recently published 2026 Henley Passport Index. As of now, Indian passport holders currently enjoy visa-free access to 55 countries, highlighting the passport’s increasing strength.

Who holds the top spot in the 2026 passport rankings?

The ranking has seen considerable advancement since 2025 for Indian passport holders and indicates India’s growing diplomatic influence as well as progress in international travel facilities. Last year, India was ranked 85th in the global passport rankings, so the five‑place jump represents a significant improvement. Although attaining the 80th position demonstrates advancement, the country lags significantly behind those at the top. Though holders of Indian passports can access 55 countries without a visa, the remaining countries require a visa before travel.

What is Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index is the only one of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.

Check India’s ranking over the years

Below is India’s ranking over the years as per Henley Passport Index.

Year	Rank
2006	71st
2007	73rd
2008	75th
2009	75th
2010	77th
2011	78th
2012	82nd
2013	74th
2014	76th
2015	88th
2016	85th
2017	87th
2018	81st
2019	82nd
2020	82nd
2021	90th
2022	83rd
2023	84th
2024	80th
2025	85th
2026	80th

In 2026, for the third consecutive year, Singapore’s passports were ranked first among passports worldwide. Holders of a Singaporean passport can travel visa-free to 192 out of 227 countries and territories. Additionally, Japan and South Korea shared the second position, with their passport holders enjoying visa-free access to 188 countries.

Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland secured the third position, offering visa-free access to 186 destinations. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway shared fourth place, with visa-free entry to 185 countries. Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UAE occupy the fifth position, with their passports granting access to 184 countries.

Passport Country	Rank in 2026	Visa-Free Access (Countries)
Singapore	1st	192
Japan	2nd	188
South Korea	2nd	188
Denmark	3rd	186
Luxembourg	3rd	186
Spain	3rd	186
Sweden	3rd	186
Switzerland	3rd	186
Austria	4th	185
Belgium	4th	185
Finland	4th	185
France	4th	185
Germany	4th	185
Greece	4th	185
Ireland	4th	185
Italy	4th	185
Netherlands	4th	185
Norway	4th	185
Hungary	5th	184
Portugal	5th	184
Slovakia	5th	184
Slovenia	5th	184
United Arab Emirates	5th	184
Croatia	6th	183
Czechia	6th	183
Estonia	6th	183
Malta	6th	183
New Zealand	6th	183
Poland	6th	183
Australia	7th	182
Latvia	7th	182
Liechtenstein	7th	182
United Kingdom	7th	182
Canada	8th	181
Iceland	8th	181
Lithuania	8th	181
Malaysia	9th	180
United States	10th	179
Bulgaria	11th	178