S'pore holds world's strongest passport

Bangladesh has climbed three places in the latest ranking of the world's strongest passports, securing 97th position in the 2026 Henley Passport Index.

Bangladesh is ranked alongside North Korea, with passport holders of both countries able to travel to 35 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance or with visa-free access.

Singapore retained the top spot in the latest index, while Afghanistan ranked last.

The index, published by London-based Henley & Partners on Tuesday, ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking covers 227 travel destinations.

According to the latest index, Bangladeshi passport holders can travel to 35 destinations without a prior visa. This is two fewer than last year, when they could travel to 37 destinations under the same conditions.

Bangladesh ranked 100th in the 2025 index. It was ranked 97th in 2024 and 98th in 2020. The country ranked 108th in 2021, 103rd in 2022 and 101st in 2023.

North Korea, meanwhile, ranked 99th in the 2025 index.

The most powerful passports in the world, according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index. Photo: Collected 

Singapore leads the ranking

Singapore retained the top position, with its passport holders able to travel to 192 destinations without a prior visa.

Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates jointly ranked second, with access to 188 destinations.

Sweden ranked third, with visa-free access to 187 destinations.

Eleven European countries jointly ranked fourth. They are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain. Their passport holders can travel to 186 destinations without a prior visa.

Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland jointly ranked fifth, with access to 185 destinations.

Hungary, Poland and the United Kingdom ranked sixth, with access to 184 destinations.

Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovakia and Slovenia jointly ranked seventh, with access to 183 destinations.

Croatia and Estonia ranked eighth, with access to 182 destinations, while Liechtenstein and Lithuania ranked ninth, with access to 181 destinations.

Iceland and the United States jointly ranked 10th, with access to 180 destinations.

Where other countries stand

Brazil and Argentina, two Latin American football powerhouses, jointly ranked 16th. Passport holders of both countries can travel to 169 destinations without a prior visa.

Ukraine and Russia, both involved in the ongoing war, ranked 31st and 42nd respectively. Ukrainian passport holders can travel to 142 destinations without a prior visa, while Russian passport holders can access 114 destinations.

Israel ranked 18th, with access to 166 destinations.

Iran and Palestine jointly ranked 96th, with access to 37 destinations.

Saudi Arabia ranked 54th, while China and Kosovo jointly ranked 60th. Chinese passport holders can travel to 83 destinations without a prior visa.

Haiti and Vietnam jointly ranked 87th.

South Asian countries

Among South Asian countries, the Maldives has the strongest passport, ranking 52nd globally. Maldivian passport holders can travel to 93 destinations without a prior visa.

India ranked 81st, with access to 55 destinations, followed by Bhutan in 88th place, with access to 47 destinations.

Myanmar ranked 91st, with access to 43 destinations, while Sri Lanka ranked 94th, with access to 39 destinations.

Nepal ranked 98th, immediately behind Bangladesh, with access to 34 destinations.

Pakistan ranked 101st, with access to 29 destinations.

Iraq and Syria ranked 102nd and 103rd respectively, with access to 28 and 25 destinations.

Afghanistan ranked last, at 104th, with its passport holders able to travel to 22 destinations without a prior visa.