Colombo, Clear Skies Magazine: Sri Lanka’s passport has been ranked 94th in the world in the latest 2026 Henley Passport Index, marking its strongest position in recent years and signaling gradual progress in the country’s global travel mobility. Holders of Sri Lankan passports now enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorization (eTA) access to 39 destinations worldwide.
The latest ranking represents an improvement from 96th place in both 2024 and 2025 and a significant rise from 107th in 2021, reflecting a steady upward trend in the passport’s global standing. Despite the progress, Sri Lanka remains among the lower-ranked passports internationally, meaning travelers still require visas in advance for many major destinations.
According to the Daily Mirror, the ranking has practical implications beyond tourism. Limited visa-free access continues to affect Sri Lankan students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and business travelers, who often face lengthy visa application processes, higher travel costs, and administrative hurdles when seeking opportunities abroad.
The Henley Passport Index, one of the world’s leading passport rankings, measures the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. The index is compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated regularly to reflect changes in global visa policies.
Analysts note that while the improved ranking is a positive indicator of Sri Lanka’s growing international mobility, further gains will depend on expanding bilateral visa agreements, strengthening diplomatic engagement, and enhancing the country’s global economic and political standing.