By Staff Reporter
DUBAI-The Philippine passport has shown a modest but notable improvement in global mobility, according to the latest Passport Index dashboard, reflecting gradual gains in visa-free travel access for Filipino citizens.
The updated ranking shows that the Philippine passport now carries a Mobility Score of 79, giving holders access to 79 destinations worldwide. This total includes 38 visa-free destinations, 37 countries offering visa-on-arrival entry, and 4 destinations requiring electronic travel authorisation (eTA).
The latest data also places the Philippine passport at 61st in the global Passport Power Rank, indicating a slight upward movement compared to earlier 2026 figures. Previously, the passport recorded a mobility score of 78 and ranked around 62nd, showing incremental progress in international travel freedom.
Growing but uneven travel access
Despite the improvement, Filipino travellers still face visa requirements for a significant number of destinations—around 119 countries, or roughly 60% of the world. These include many high-demand travel regions such as most of Europe’s Schengen Area, as well as the United States and Canada.
However, the passport continues to maintain relatively strong access within Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean. Filipinos can travel visa-free to several countries, including key regional partners such as ASEAN member states, Hong Kong, and Macau, along with select nations in South America and the Pacific.
Visa categories breakdown
The Passport Index groups access into three main categories:
- Visa-free travel: Includes destinations such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, and several Caribbean and Pacific nations.
- Visa on arrival: Covers countries such as Nepal, Maldives, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Mauritius, and others where entry visas are issued upon arrival, often subject to conditions like return tickets and proof of accommodation.
- eVisa / eTA systems: Includes destinations such as India, Japan (group eVisa), Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and others where travellers must apply online before departure.
Methodology differences in global rankings
Experts note that passport rankings often differ depending on the methodology used by each index.
The Passport Index, operated by Arton Capital, calculates rankings based on a combined mobility score that includes visa-free access, visa-on-arrival entry, and electronic travel authorisations.
In contrast, the Henley Passport Index ranks passports primarily based on the number of destinations accessible without requiring a visa in advance, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These differing methods explain why the Philippine passport may appear at different positions across various global rankings.
Steady recovery in global mobility
The latest improvement reflects a broader recovery in international travel following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, the Philippine passport’s mobility score declined significantly due to global border closures but has gradually recovered over the past few years as countries reopened and signed new travel agreements.
Recent updates suggest that Philippine citizens now enjoy their widest level of travel access in several years, supported by new visa waivers and expanded electronic travel systems in select countries.
Outlook
While access to some of the world’s most popular destinations remains restricted, the overall trend points toward gradual improvement in Philippine passport strength. Analysts say continued diplomatic engagement and reciprocal visa agreements will be key factors in further expanding travel freedom in the coming years.
