The Henley Passport Index ranks the world’s passports by one number: how many destinations a holder can enter without arranging a visa first. It was launched in 2006, is compiled by Henley & Partners from International Air Transport Association (IATA) data plus its own research, and in 2026 covers 199 passports and 227 destinations.
That one number is easy to quote and easy to misread. This guide explains exactly what is counted, how ties and ranks work, what the index assumes about the traveler, and what it cannot tell you. For the current top of the table and where Malta and the Caribbean program countries stand, see Most powerful passports in the world.
What counts as “visa-free”
Every passport is checked against every destination, and each pair scores either 1 or 0. The total of the 1s is the passport’s visa-free score.
| Entry condition | Score |
|---|---|
| No visa needed | 1 |
| Visa on arrival, with no approval needed before departure | 1 |
| Visitor’s permit, with no approval needed before departure | 1 |
| Electronic travel authorization (ETA) | 1 |
| Visa on arrival that needs approval before departure | 0 |
| Electronic visa (e-visa) approved before departure | 0 |
| Traditional visa required | 0 |
Source: Henley & Partners, Henley Passport Index methodology. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are assumed to follow Denmark’s visa policy.
ETA or e-visa: where the line is drawn
Countries use these terms inconsistently, so the index applies two practical tests instead of the label a government chooses. An ETA is normally processed automatically within minutes or hours and asks for minimal information and no supporting documents. An e-visa is normally reviewed by a person over days or weeks and needs extensive information and documents. The underlying question is how much effort the traveler must make before departure, and how likely a refusal is. ETAs count as visa-free; e-visas count as a visa requirement.
How ranks and ties work
Passports with the same score share a rank, and the next lower score takes the next rank number. No numbers are skipped. Henley explains the reason: equal scores mean equal access, and skipping ranks would suggest a gap that does not exist.
The October 2026 edition shows how far this goes. The 4th rank is shared by eleven passports at 186 destinations, and the next score down, 185, is simply 5th. Dominica and Paraguay share 30th place with 144, while Saint Lucia shares 31st place with Macao and Trinidad and Tobago at 143. A single destination separates those two ranks.
The practical lesson: a difference of one or two places is usually a difference of one or two destinations. Treat neighboring ranks as roughly equal.
Twenty years of the index
The index was first launched in 2006 and was originally created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners. In 2006 the strongest passports, those of the United States, Denmark and Finland, gave access to 130 destinations. In Henley’s 20th anniversary release of 21 July 2026, Singapore ranked first with access to 192 destinations, and the average passport gave visa-free access to 108 destinations, up from 58 in 2006.
The October 2026 edition puts Singapore at 193, so the top score moved by one destination between the July and October editions. The index is updated monthly, and research continues through the year to catch changes in visa policy. A ranking you read today is a snapshot.
What the index assumes about the traveler
The score describes an idealized trip. Henley’s methodology assumes:
- The passport: it is valid, and it is an ordinary passport, not diplomatic, emergency or temporary.
- The traveler: an adult citizen of the issuing country, traveling alone rather than in a tourist group, with the necessary vaccinations.
- Basic entry requirements are met, such as a hotel reservation or proof of sufficient funds, and the traveler does not face complex requirements such as a government-issued letter.
- The trip: a short stay of between three days and several months for tourist or business purposes, arriving and departing from the same airport, not a transit stay, and entering through a major city or the capital where that is required.
What the index leaves out
- The right to live, work or study. A visa-free entry lets you visit; it does not give residence or work rights.
- Longer stays and different purposes. The index assumes a short tourist or business stay. Moving a family, studying or working abroad follows different rules.
- Complex or case-by-case entry rules, which are outside its assumptions.
- Where you actually travel. A passport that ranks higher overall may still be harder to use for the three or four countries that matter to you.
- Treaties and bilateral agreements that affect business, investment or residence but are not visa-free access.
Henley states that the index is not binding and that travelers should verify visa requirements with a travel agent or embassy before booking. The same advice applies before you choose a passport.
A sensible way to use it
- Use the score to filter, not to decide. It is good for spotting passports far behind or ahead of the pack.
- Check your own list of destinations against each passport you are considering, using each government’s own visa information.
- Compare the real reason you want the passport: mobility, a treaty route, tax planning, family security or residence. The ranking only speaks to the first.
- Re-check before you commit. Visa policies change and the index is updated monthly.
Want to know which option fits your situation? Request a free call and an advisor will give you a straight answer, including when a second passport is not the right tool.
Last verified against the sources below on 16 October 2026. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Henley Passport Index calculated?
Each of 227 destinations scores 1 for a passport if no visa is needed, or if the traveler can get a visa on arrival, visitor's permit or electronic travel authorization without approval before departure, and 0 otherwise. The total is the passport's score, and equal scores share a rank.
Does an ETA count as visa-free in the index?
Yes. An ETA counts as visa-free because it is normally processed automatically within minutes or hours and needs minimal information. An e-visa, which is reviewed manually and needs documents, counts as a visa requirement.
Why do some passports share the same rank?
Passports with the same score share a rank, and the next lower score takes the next rank number without skipping. Henley says equal scores mean equal access, and skipping ranks would imply a gap that does not exist.
Who compiles the Henley Passport Index and how often is it updated?
Henley & Partners compiles it from IATA data plus its own research and open-source information. It was launched in 2006 and is updated monthly.
Does the index measure the right to live or work abroad?
No. It measures short-stay entry for tourism or business without a prior visa. Residence and work rights follow separate rules.
Official sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below and were last verified on 16 October 2026. Rules change; always confirm the current position. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
