Planning a trip to walk along the Great Wall of China or see the pyramids of Giza? You might want to think twice … or get started on your visa application.
Some of the world’s best wonders require US citizens to obtain a visa before takeoff, which can be an inconvenience when planning that long-awaited international getaway.
US passport holders can access 179 countries worldwide without obtaining a prior visa, ranking 10th among world passports on the 2026 Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the visa-free or visa-on-arrival access they provide to travelers using data from the International Air Transport Association.
Passports from 37 other countries offer greater global mobility than a US passport, including those from Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Singapore is in the top spot with its passport, which allows holders to travel to 192 countries without first securing a visa. In past years, Japan previously held the No. 1 position but has since fallen to No. 2, joining South Korea with access to 188 countries.
Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by the number of visa-free travel options, according to the Henley Passport Index. This ranking is accurate as of January 2026.
10. The United States
Passport holders from the US can visit 179 countries without visas in 2026.
9. Malaysia
Holders of a Malaysian passport can visit 180 countries without a visa in 2026.
8. Canada, Iceland, and Lithuania
Travelers can visit 181 countries without a visa in 2026 if they have a passport from Canada, Iceland, or Lithuania.
7. Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom
Travelers can visit 182 countries without visas in 2026 with a passport from Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, or the United Kingdom.
6. Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, and Poland
Holders of passports from these countries can visit 183 countries without a visa.
5. Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates
Travelers can visit 184 countries without a visa in 2026 if they hold a passport from one of those countries.
4. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway
These passport holders can visit 185 countries without visas.
3. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
These passports give access to 186 countries without a visa.
2. Japan and South Korea
Holders of passports from Japan and South Korea can visit 188 countries without a visa.
1. Singapore
In 2026, travelers with a Singapore passport can visit 192 countries without a visa.
Editor’s note: This story was first published in January 2023, and updates were made in January 2024, June 2024, October 2024, March 2025, May 2025, and January 2026.
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