The following frequently asked questions explain how the index works, how scores and rankings are calculated, what different travel authorization types mean, and how users can make the most of the Henley Passport Index when comparing passports or exploring their global mobility options.
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking that measures the travel freedom of passports worldwide. It ranks passports based on how many destinations their holders can access without applying for a visa in advance.
On the Henley Passport Index each passport is given a visa-free score. This score reflects how many destinations the passport has visa-free access to. The more destinations a passport has access to, the higher it scores on the index.
On the Henley Passport Index, visa-free access means you do not need to apply for a visa before departure. This typically includes visa-on-arrival access and ETAs. Visa required means you must secure approval before travel, often with additional paperwork and processing time. Find out more about what is considered visa-free here.
A destination is considered visa-free for a particular passport when a traveler holding that passport does not need to obtain a visa before departure for a short stay to that destination. This includes cases where no visa is required, only an ETA is required, or a visa-on-arrival is available. Find out more about what is considered visa-free here.
An electronic travel authorization (ETA) is a digital entry requirement used to screen travelers before they board a flight or arrive at a border. It functions as a form of pre-clearance, ensuring that individuals meet the basic entry criteria before commencing their journey. An ETA is typically only a requirement for travelers that don’t need a visa, and is therefore considered visa-free in the Henley Passport Index. Find out more about what is considered visa-free here.
A visa-on-arrival (VOA) means a traveler can obtain permission to enter a destination at the point of entry, such as the airport or border crossing. While it may still involve fees or paperwork, it removes the need for any pre-travel authorization. The Henley Passport Index scores VOA destinations as ‘visa-free’ because there are no additional steps to take before traveling. Find out more about what is considered visa-free here.
An e-Visa is a vias that is applied for through an online portal. While the process is digital, it typically involves document uploads, processing times, and a formal authorization from the destination country. The Henley Passport Index considers e-Visa the same as other types of visas because pre-approval is required before you can travel.
An ETA is usually an automatic authorization used for visa-exempt travelers, often completed quickly online. An e-Visa is still an official visa application process with approvals and documentation requirements.
The Henley Passport Index looks at a passport’s access to 227 destinations around the world. If the destination is visa-free (including VOA and ETA) for that passport, it scores 1 point. A passport’s final score is therefore the total number of destinations out of 227 that it has visa-free, VOA, or ETA access to. This score determines the passport’s position in the Henley Passport Index ranking.
Yes — on the Henley Passport Index, passports with the same total access score share the same rank. This reflects the fact that they provide equivalent travel access under the index methodology. Tied ranks are common on the index. When two or more passports share a rank, the passport with the next lowest score receives the next consecutive rank number, regardless of how many passports occupy the rank above.
The Henley Passport Index is updated monthly to reflect ongoing changes to visa policies and travel access. This matters because diplomatic agreements and policy shifts can quickly change a passport’s list of visa-free destinations. Regular updates help the Henley Passport Index remain a reliable reference for global mobility comparisons.
The Henley Passport Index compares 199 different passports across 227 different travel destinations. The number of passports is based on the UN list of member states (including the Vatican and Palestine as UN observer states) as well as Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan, which are listed separately from China as they confer different access rights. The destinations list includes these 199 locations, as well as 28 additional destinations which are primarily overseas territories or special administrative regions that do not issue their own passports, but do offer unique access rights.
The index and its contents are based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and supplemented, enhanced, and updated using extensive in-house research using publicly available information, including but not limited to, official government resources and major news outlets. This research process is ongoing throughout the year.
The Henley Passport Index ranking page shows how passports perform globally based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa. It’s useful for seeing which passports are strongest and how rankings shift over time. Many visitors use the Henley Passport Index ranking to track trends in passport strength.
On the Henley Passport Index, you can select your nationality to view a tailored list of destinations and entry requirements. This typically includes where you have visa-free access and where you may need additional authorization. It’s one of the fastest ways to understand your passport’s global travel freedom.
The Henley Passport Index ‘Compare My Passport’ feature lets you evaluate up to four passports side-by-side for visa-free destinations, overall access, and relative ranking position. This is helpful for dual citizens, multinational families, and people evaluating global mobility options.
The Henley Passport Index ‘Improve My Global Mobility’ feature lets you combine your current passport with additional citizenship and residence options available globally to see how they would improve your global visa-free access.
Henley Passport Index rankings can change when countries introduce, remove, or modify visa requirements. Policy shifts may result from diplomacy, security changes, or broader migration rules. Even small updates can affect a passport’s total visa-free destinations and therefore its ranking.
The Henley Passport Index generally assumes a standard traveler using a regular passport for short stays, such as tourism or business travel. It also assumes the traveler meets standard entry conditions like passport validity and proof of sufficient funds. These assumptions help keep comparisons consistent across passports.
The Henley Passport Index focuses on ordinary passports used by the general public. Diplomatic, official, emergency, or temporary travel documents often follow different entry rules and are not representative for most travelers. For most people, the Henley Passport Index provides the most relevant mobility comparison.
The Henley Passport Index can be a helpful tool for identifying visa-free destinations and understanding entry options such as VOA or ETA categories for your passport. It can help travelers shortlist countries with simpler access and plan trips more efficiently. It is important, however, to always confirm entry rules with a travel agent or embassy representative before departure, since policies can change at any time.
No — the Henley Passport Index is an informational resource and should not be treated as a legal guarantee of entry. Visa rules can change quickly and may vary based on traveler circumstances. For travel planning, verify requirements with official government sources, embassies, or trusted advisors.
A visa list on the Henley Passport Index is a destination-by-destination breakdown showing where your passport has visa-free access and where additional steps may apply. It turns the Henley Passport Index ranking into a practical tool. Many users rely on the visa lists to find out more about the access rights of their passport.
The Henley Passport Index is widely cited because it uses a consistent methodology and structured destination access checks to compare passports fairly. Regular updates and broad global coverage help keep the Henley Passport Index ranking relevant as mobility conditions shift. For individuals and organizations, it’s a recognized benchmark for evaluating passport strength and global travel freedom.
Henley & Partners assists international clients in obtaining residence and citizenship under the respective programs. Contact us to arrange an initial private consultation.
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