January 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has recorded a modest rise in global travel freedom, moving up to 93rd place in the Henley Passport Index 2026, which assesses the relative strength of passports around the world.
According to the newly released rankings, Sri Lankan passport holders can now access 39 destinations without securing a visa in advance.
The Henley Passport Index is widely recognised as a leading benchmark of global mobility, ranking passports based on the number of countries their holders can enter visa-free or with a visa on arrival. The index
is compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association, supplemented by independent analysis conducted by Henley & Partners.
At the top of the list, Singapore has once again claimed first place, maintaining its position for a second year with access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea follow closely in joint second place, while a group of European nations—including Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland—share third position, each offering access to 186 destinations.
Although Sri Lanka’s current ranking reflects an improvement compared to its position last year, when it stood at 96th, the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa has slightly declined. Analysts note that such fluctuations are common, often influenced by bilateral agreements, regional stability and changes in immigration policies.
Despite these challenges, Sri Lanka continues to rank ahead of several other countries in the South Asian region, including Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, underscoring its relatively stronger passport standing within the SAARC bloc.
