Global passport rankings out: US slips down the list, see who’s on top

Once seen as a golden ticket to the world, the American passport is no longer among the globe’s most powerful. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, the United States has fallen out of the top 10 for the first time in the index's 20-year history, a symbolic moment that reflects deeper shifts in global power and travel freedom.The world’s most “powerful” passports are no longer held by Western nations. Instead, Asia has firmly taken the lead, as countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Japan offer their citizens unprecedented access to destinations around the globe.

At the top of the 2025 rankings, Singapore retains its No. 1 position, granting visa-free access to 193 destinations. It’s followed closely by South Korea (190) and Japan (189)- countries that have consistently expanded diplomatic and travel agreements over the past decade.

Asian countries seem to have leveraged diplomacy and trade to strengthen global connectivity.

The United States now sits at No. 12, tied with Malaysia, offering visa-free access to 180 destinations. This marks a notable decline from 2014, when the US passport topped the index, and even from mid-2025, when it barely clung to the top 10.Analysts point to a series of access losses as the main reason for the fall. In April, Brazil reinstated visa requirements for US, Canadian, and Australian citizens, citing a lack of reciprocity.

Meanwhile, China expanded visa exemptions to dozens of European nations, including Germany and France, but not the US.Other adjustments in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Somalia further weakened the American passport’s standing.

“The declining strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in rankings, it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics,” said Christian H.

Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners, in a statement.He added that, “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”The United Kingdom, once a passport powerhouse, has also seen its influence wane. It now ranks 8th, tied with the United Arab Emirates, down from No. 6 just months ago.In total, 36 countries now outrank the US when tied positions are counted.

In contrast, China has climbed dramatically over the past decade, from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, gaining visa, free access to 37 more destinations.The United Arab Emirates stands out as one of the most remarkable climbers of the decade. It has jumped 34 places, from No. 42 to No. 8, thanks to aggressive diplomatic engagement and a strategy centered on global openness.At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport at No.

106, offering visa-free access to just 24 destinations. Syria (26) and Iraq (29) follow closely behind.

Singapore – 193 destinationsSouth Korea – 190Japan – 189Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland – 188Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands – 187Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 186Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland – 185Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE, UK – 184Canada – 183Latvia, Liechtenstein – 182Iceland, Lithuania – 181USA, Malaysia – 180