The Philippines has climbed one place to 72nd in the latest global passport rankings, increasing visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 65 destinations, up from 64 in the previous edition.
This new position ties the Philippines with Benin and Uganda, following a move from 73rd in the earlier ranking.
Analysts note that many countries in the Global South experience modest gains in passport strength, yet still face constraints due to limited diplomatic leverage and reciprocal visa‑waiver agreements.
One senior official highlighted that a passport’s power reflects a nation’s international relationships, suggesting that mobility signals the value other countries place on those ties.
In the past twenty years, the United Arab Emirates has added 153 visa‑free destinations, making it one of the most powerful passports worldwide.
Singapore remains the top‑ranked passport, offering visa‑free access to 192 countries, while Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share second place.
The gap between the strongest and weakest passports has widened over the last two decades. In 2006 the difference was 118 destinations; by 2026 it expanded to a record 170, with Afghanistan granting only 22.
The top ten positions are occupied by 39 countries, including four Asian economies: Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.
