Singaporeans are still holding the world’s most powerful passport.
According to the July 2026 Henley Passport Index, Singapore remains alone in first place, with passport holders able to enter 192 destinations without obtaining a visa before departure.
This includes destinations that allow visa-free entry, visas on arrival or electronic travel authorisations that do not require government approval before departure.
For Singaporeans, the little red passport remains the travel equivalent of an express lane.
Singapore Remains Ahead of Japan, South Korea and the UAE
Singapore has a four-destination lead over the passports in second place.
Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are tied for second, with access to 188 destinations each.
The UAE was the biggest mover since the January 2026 ranking, climbing three positions to join Japan and South Korea.
Sweden is third with access to 187 destinations, while 11 European countries share fourth place with 186 destinations each. They are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain.
The United Kingdom has climbed to sixth place after gaining visa-free access to China and Malawi. Canada is now seventh, while the United States remains in 10th place.
Singapore’s Score Has Not Increased
While Singapore remains at the top, its score is unchanged from the January 2026 edition of the index.
In January 2025, Singaporeans could access 195 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. This fell to 193 destinations in July 2025 and 192 destinations in January 2026.
In other words, a passport does not need to gain more destinations to remain No. 1. It simply needs to provide more access than every other passport.
Visa rules can also change throughout the year as governments introduce, remove or revise visa-waiver agreements.
What “Most Powerful Passport” Actually Means
The Henley Passport Index compares 199 passports against 227 travel destinations.
It is based primarily on Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association, which airlines use to check passengers’ travel document and entry requirements. Henley & Partners supplements this with its own research and says the index is updated monthly.
A passport receives one point for every destination that can be entered without a traditional visa obtained before departure.
Visa-free entry, visas on arrival, visitor permits and electronic travel authorisations generally count towards the score.
However, an electronic visa that requires government approval before the traveller leaves does not count as visa-free access.
The ranking also assumes that the traveller holds a valid ordinary passport, meets the destination’s basic entry requirements and is visiting for a short stay.
The Singapore Passport Has Climbed Significantly Since 2006
Singapore was eighth when the Henley Passport Index was launched in 2006. It is now first.
Over the same 20-year period, the average passport’s access has nearly doubled from 58 destinations to 108.
However, the difference between the strongest and weakest passports has also widened.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the July 2026 index, with access to only 22 destinations. This creates a record gap of 170 destinations between Afghanistan and Singapore.
In 2006, the gap between the strongest and weakest passports was 118 destinations.
Passport power has therefore improved around the world, but the ability to travel easily remains very uneven.
By the way, do you know why our passport is red? Watch this to find out the interesting reason:
