Everyone Awaits the Annual Henley Passport Index Publication
The Henley Passport Index is eagerly anticipated by individuals, institutions, and travel agencies alike. This index ranks passports from different countries based on the number of visas required for their holders to travel abroad, as well as the number of countries accessible without a prior visa.
Created 20 years ago, the index is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Its importance goes beyond individual information on passport capabilities; it is also a major indicator of global freedom of movement.
In fact, the privileges offered by a passport translate into better business opportunities and increased security for its holder. It is no surprise that most of these benefits accrue to passports from countries with significant economic influence and political stability.
The Henley Index and Disparities Between Countries
While the index's officials confirm that global freedom of movement has expanded over the past 20 years, it has been distributed unevenly. This is evident in the fact that Singapore, which has the most powerful passport for the second consecutive year, allows its holder to enter 192 countries without a visa. In contrast, Afghanistan ranks last, with its citizens only able to access 24 countries without a visa, marking a significant gap.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in 2026
Among the countries with the most powerful passports in the world are Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Denmark, Spain, and Switzerland. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is ranked at the bottom of the table and has the weakest passport in the world.
United States and United Kingdom
Although the United States has re-entered the list of the top 10 most powerful passports after being absent at the end of 2025, their overall decline remains significant. While they once shared the top spot with the United Kingdom, they now rank 10th, while the United Kingdom has also fallen from its historical position.
Finally, the United States lags behind in terms of openness: while its citizens can enter 179 countries without a visa, they only offer this same facility to citizens of 46 nationalities.
Ranking of Arab Countries According to the Henley Index
On an Arab scale, Gulf countries have the most powerful passports, giving them access to over a hundred countries without a visa. This is not the case for Tunisia, which, according to the latest Henley & Partners ranking, is in an intermediate position, 77th place, with a Tunisian passport that gives access to 75 destinations without a visa. While Tunisia regularly competes with Morocco for the top spot in North Africa and ranks above many sub-Saharan African countries, it still falls short of European standards and those of Gulf countries.
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