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In the latest assessment of global passport rankings, Afghanistan finds itself at the bottom of the list with its citizens granted visa-free access to a mere 24 countries. This highlights the stark contrast in global mobility, underscoring the widening gap between the world’s strongest and weakest passports.
Australia’s passport continues to hold its ground, maintaining a solid position among the world’s most powerful travel documents. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom have experienced a slip in their rankings. This shift illustrates the dynamic nature of international relations and travel agreements.
According to the 2026 passport rankings, Singapore leads the pack, providing its holders access to 192 destinations without a visa. Following closely are Japan and South Korea, allowing entry to 188 destinations. A group of European nations, including Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, share third place with 186 destinations accessible.
Further down the list, a cluster of ten European countries, such as Austria, Belgium, and Germany, are tied for fourth place, offering visa-free entry to 185 destinations. New Zealand, a close neighbor to Australia, ranks slightly higher, securing sixth place.
The growing disparity between the strongest and weakest passports is significant, having increased from 118 destinations in 2006 to 168 today. This trend reflects not only the changing landscape of international travel but also the varying levels of diplomatic relations and agreements across the globe.
“As transatlantic relations strain and domestic politics grow more volatile, the erosion of mobility rights for countries like the US and UK is less a technical anomaly than a signal of deeper geopolitical recalibration.”
How passports have changed over 20 years
The UK has seen the fourth-largest decline, dropping from third to seventh over the same period.
