Singapore tops the latest Henley Passport Index, with Japan and South Korea tied for second place, and Taiwan advancing three spots to 33rd.

CNN reports Singaporean citizens can enter 192 of the 227 countries and regions tracked by the index visa-free. The index is compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

Japan and South Korea follow Singapore with access to 188 destinations. Countries with tied scores share the same rank. Third place goes to five European nations - Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland - with 186 points and visa-free access to 186 destinations. 

Fourth place, all European, includes Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway, with access to 185 countries and territories. 

Fifth, with 184 points, features Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates all tied.

The report highlights the UAE’s standout performance over the index’s 20-year history, adding 149 visa-free destinations since 2006 and rising 57 spots, thanks to “sustained diplomatic engagement and visa liberalization.” 

Sixth: Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, and Poland. Seventh: Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom. Eighth: Canada, Iceland, and Lithuania. Ninth: Malaysia. The U.S. returns to 10th with access to 179 destinations after dropping out late last year.

Taiwan ranks 33rd, up three from December, with visa-free access to 139 countries and regions. 

At the bottom, Afghanistan remains 101st with 24 destinations; Syria is 100th with 26. 

The Henley Passport Index is one of several rankings by financial firms assessing passport strength.