LONDON: Global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has released its latest Henley Passport Index for the July to December 2026 period, with Asian countries once again dominating the rankings. Pakistan, however, remains among the world’s weakest passports.
According to the report, Singapore has retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, allowing its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations worldwide.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Japan, and South Korea jointly secured second place, with passport holders able to travel to 188 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance or by using visa-on-arrival facilities.
Sweden ranked third, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations.
Fourth place was shared by Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain, whose citizens can travel to 186 destinations without a prior visa.
The fifth position was occupied by Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal, and Switzerland, with passport holders enjoying visa-free access to 185 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance or by using visa-on-arrival arrangements.
The report also noted that the United States has fallen to 10th place, despite historically being ranked among the world’s most powerful passports.
According to Henley & Partners, the United Arab Emirates has recorded the most significant improvement over the past decade, climbing 40 places in the global rankings to become the world’s second most powerful passport.
Pakistan ranked 100th in the latest index, with Pakistani passport holders able to travel to 30 destinations with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
Among the lowest-ranked passports, Iraq placed 101st, Syria ranked 102nd, while Afghanistan remained at the bottom of the index in 103rd place, making it the world’s weakest passport.
The report also highlighted that several countries rank above Pakistan, including Yemen, Somalia, Nepal, North Korea, Bangladesh, Palestine, Iran, Eritrea, Sri Lanka, and Libya.
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