Yemen Among Weakest Passports as Singapore Leads 2026 Index

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports against 227 travel destinations, using International Air Transport Association data, and revises the list as visa policies change. In its October 2026 edition, Singapore leads with access to 193 destinations, up from 192 in earlier 2026 editions, marking its third consecutive year at number one.

Key facts

• Index used: Henley Passport Index, covering 199 passports and 227 destinations
• Rankings shown: July to October 2026 editions, with counts varying slightly between releases
• Top passport: Singapore, with 193 destinations in the October 2026 table
• Joint second: Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, each with 188 destinations
• Europe's best: Sweden, third with 187 destinations

What does the index measure?

The ranking counts more than classic visa-free entry. Its coverage includes visa-free access, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorisation. Because the index is updated quarterly, figures can differ slightly between releases, and the figures cited here come from the July to October 2026 editions.

The score reflects what holders of a passport can do, and says nothing about whether a foreign national can obtain that passport.

Who tops the 2026 rankings?

Singapore sits 171 destinations ahead of Afghanistan at the bottom of the table. Twenty years ago, in 2006, the strongest passports — from the USA, Denmark and Finland — offered 130 destinations.

Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates share second place with 188 destinations each, meaning holders can reach more than four in five tracked destinations without arranging a visa first. Sweden is the highest-ranked European passport, in third with 187 destinations, one behind the Asian and Gulf trio.

The United Arab Emirates is described as the biggest climber over two decades, adding 149 visa-free destinations since 2006 and rising 57 places to fifth with 184 destinations in the 2026 edition, before moving level into second place by October.

Where does Yemen rank?

The source article lists 10 strongest and 6 weakest passports but its text does not include a Yemen-specific ranking figure, destination count or entry-rule change. Travellers holding a Yemeni passport should check current destination-by-destination visa requirements before booking, as the index data is revised as visa policies change.

What happens next

The Henley Passport Index is updated quarterly and revised through the year as visa policies change, so rankings and destination counts may shift between editions.