The world’s three most powerful passports are now in the hands of three Asian countries

Singapore tops the list of the world's most powerful passports.

The world's three most powerful passports are held by three Asian countries. The latest report by the Henley Passport Index released the list of top passports on Tuesday (January 13).

According to the report, published in January 2026, Singapore is in first place, followed by Japan and South Korea in joint second place. Some countries' passports are much stronger than others to get these benefits, such as fewer restrictions on travel between countries and shorter lines at borders.

The positions of the top places The index, prepared by London-based global citizenship and residency consultancy Henley & Partners, uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). A total of 227 countries and territories are taken into account in the index.

Singaporean passport holders will have visa-free access to 192 countries around the world. Passport holders from two other Asian countries, Japan and South Korea, will each enjoy visa-free access to 188 countries.

Henley counts multiple countries as having the same ranking if their scores are equal. That is why the European countries Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are in joint third place. These countries' passports can be used to travel to 186 countries without a visa.

In fourth place are 10 European countries - Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway. These countries' passports can be used to travel to 185 countries without a visa.

In fifth place are Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates. These countries' passports can be used to travel to 184 countries without a visa.

CNN News.