These Are the 10 Best Passports in the World for Visa-free Travel—and No. 1 Lets You Visit 163 Countries With Ease

Securing a visa before a foreign trip can be a time-consuming experience, sometimes requiring costly fees, complicated applications, or weeks-long waits. But if you have a United Arab Emirates passport, you can travel to 128 countries visa-free and obtain visas on arrival in 35 more, making it the best passport for visa-free travel in the world, according to a study by Passport Reports.

The online platform considers data on passport strength and global mobility to rank the destinations that "ordinary passport holders can enter and under what conditions," according to its methodology.

The United Arab Emirates topped the list with an overall mobility score of 173 out of 200, giving its passport holders easy access to 163 countries, as well as 10 more by an electronic travel authorization (ETA) form. Emiratis only need to apply for a visa in advance for 25 countries (including the U.S.), the fewest of any state in the study. According to Passport Reports, the United Arab Emirates' score has been rising since 2020, when it was ranked No. 28. The following year, it jumped to the top spot and has held that position for five consecutive years.

Singapore took the number two spot, with a passport mobility score of 164. While holders of Singaporean passports can travel to one more country than those in the United Arab Emirates (129), the number of countries that require a visa on arrival is significantly less, 24. Singaporeans need an ETA for 11 countries, while 34 more require advance visas. Singapore climbed 18 spots in 2025, from No. 18 to No. 2, maintaining its runner-up position this year as well.

Japan follows Singapore at No. 3, up eight spots from 2025. Its citizens don't need visas for 114 countries and can receive visas on arrival in 36 more. Japan's overall mobility score is 162. This is Japan's highest ranking; it has been on a steady rise since 2021, when it ranked No. 24. Japanese passport holders need an ETA for the U.S., U.K., and Canada, but can travel visa-free in the European Union. Malaysia (No. 4) and South Korea (No. 5) round out the top five passports for visa-free global travel.

The United States ranks significantly lower, at No. 28, with a mobility score of 153. American citizens can travel to 111 countries without a visa , but need an ETA for 10 and receive their visa on arrival in 32. U.S. passport holders need to apply for a visa to visit 45 countries. The United States has had a rough run since 2022, when it achieved its highest ranking at No. 12. Since then, American passports have been in decline, with the exception of 2025, when they climbed just one spot from 27 to 26, but then fell two spots this year.

Despite Asian countries occupying the first five spots, European passports dominate the top 10, with 11 countries sharing spots six through 10.

Below are the top 10 best passports for visa-free travel:

1. United Arab Emirates

2. Singapore

3. Japan

4. Malaysia

5. South Korea

6. Luxembourg

7. Spain

8. Switzerland

9. Belgium, France

10. Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Netherlands

You can see the full report on passportreports.com

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