When a passport is called "strong", it usually means it opens many destinations without a visa obtained in advance. But how is this number counted, and how much should it matter to your decision? The information on method comes from the official page of the Henley Passport Index, checked on 24 October 2026.
How the Henley Passport Index counts
According to the index's "about" page:
- the data come from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are completed by Henley's research team;
- 199 passports and 227 travel destinations are covered;
- the index is updated monthly.
What counts as "visa-free"
For each destination the score is one or zero:
- a score of one: no visa is needed, or a visa on arrival, a visitor's permit or an electronic travel authority (ETA) is enough;
- a score of zero: a visa is needed, or an e-visa must be obtained before departure, or a visa on arrival needs government pre-approval before travel.
A passport's total score is the number of destinations scored one. All destinations carry the same weight.
The limits of this number
- All destinations count the same; but perhaps only a few, such as Schengen or the United Kingdom, matter to you.
- The permitted length of stay at each destination is not reflected in the score.
- Rules change; for example, in December 2024 the Council of the European Union ended the visa exemption for Vanuatu nationals.
- Electronic authorisations, such as the UK's ETA or Europe's ETIAS once it starts, cost money and need an application, even though they count as "visa-free".
Comparing two passports correctly
- Write down the destinations you actually travel to.
- For each destination, check each passport's position with that country's official source.
- Weigh the permitted length of stay and the need for an electronic authorisation too.
- The Royal Golden site's passport comparison tool helps you see the travel access of several passports side by side; before travelling, confirm the current rule with the destination's official source.
This article is general information. Decisions on entry always rest with the authorities of the destination.
Sources
- Henley & Partners, about the Henley Passport Index — https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/about (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Council of the European Union, "Vanuatu: Council ends visa exemption" (12 December 2024) — https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/12/vanuatu-council-ends-visa-exemption/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta (checked on 24 October 2026)