Narayan AmmachchiChile and Brazil are the only Latin American countries to rank among the world’s 50 most powerful passports in the 2026 Global Passport Index, compiled by Global Citizen Solutions.
Chile topped the region, placing 46th globally with a score of 83.07 out of 100, while Brazil ranked 49th with 82.4 points. The index evaluates passports based not only on visa-free travel but also on factors such as economic opportunities, quality of life, and political stability.
According to the report, Chile’s strong performance reflects its solid economic fundamentals. Chilean passport holders enjoy simplified access to major destinations including the United States, Germany, France, China and Japan. Brazil’s passport provides visa-free access to 108 countries.
Argentina and Uruguay narrowly missed the global top 50, ranking 52nd and 53rd, respectively. The report described both countries, along with Brazil, as having “good passports by global standards,” citing strong travel mobility but noting that relatively weaker income and investment indicators prevent them from joining the world’s elite passports.
Costa Rica ranked 57th globally, followed by Mexico (61st), Panama (64th), and Peru and Paraguay (joint 67th). Colombia placed 79th, while Ecuador and Suriname ranked 113th. Cuba finished 143rd, with visa-free access to just 26 countries.
Most of those topping the list are European countries, including Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and Germany. The report said the United States and Canada continue to lead the Americas due to their combination of international mobility, economic strength and institutional quality.
It also highlighted several Caribbean nations whose citizenship-by-investment programs have helped enhance the global value of their passports.
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