US passports rank drop from Henley Passport Index 2025: Top 10 strongest passports in the world revealed

In a historic shift, the United States passport has fallen out of the top 10 most powerful passports for the first time in its 20-year history, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025.

Once ranked first in 2014, the US now sits at 12th place, tied with Malaysia, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180 countries and territories. The decline reflects recent changes in international visa policies, including the termination of Brazil’s visa-free policy for US nationals and restrictions from several Asian countries. Meanwhile, passports from Asian nations like Singapore, South Korea, and Japan are rising, showcasing the evolving landscape of global mobility and the increasing influence of Asia in travel diplomacy.As reported by Henley Passports Index 2025 list, check below the list of 10 top powerful passports in the world.

List of 10 strongest passports 2025

Source: Henley Passports Index

World’s powerful passports

1. Singapore – Visa-free access to 193 countriesSingapore holds the world’s most powerful passport in 2025. Citizens can travel to 193 countries without needing a visa, including major hubs in Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania. This reflects Singapore’s strong international relations, political stability, and diplomatic trust, making it highly attractive for business, tourism, and global mobility.

2. South Korea – Visa-free access to 190 countriesSouth Korea ranks second, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 destinations. Its passport demonstrates the country’s growing diplomatic influence, economic partnerships, and strong bilateral agreements. South Korean travellers enjoy easy entry to business, leisure, and educational destinations worldwide.3. Japan – Visa-free access to 189 countriesJapan ranks third with access to 189 nations. Its passport strength is supported by global respect, political stability, and economic influence.

Japanese citizens benefit from flexibility in travel, whether for tourism, study, or business purposes.4. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland – Strong European passportsThese European countries share the fourth position. Germany and Switzerland are particularly strong due to EU membership and global business connections, while Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain combine cultural influence with wide visa-free access. European passports generally allow extensive travel across other EU nations and beyond.5. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands – High-ranking EuropeThis cluster of Western European nations provides citizens with broad access to countries worldwide, including North America and Asia. These passports are valued for economic stability, diplomatic leverage, and global trust, which enhance mobility for work, tourism, and education.6. Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – Diverse European and Oceanic accessThe sixth-ranking group blends European and Oceanic influence. New Zealand and Norway offer strong access in Asia-Pacific, while Greece, Hungary, Portugal, and Sweden provide European travel privileges.

These passports are versatile for tourism, study, and business.7. Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland – Expanding travel freedomAustralia maintains strong regional and global mobility, particularly across Asia-Pacific countries, while the Czech Republic, Malta, and Poland offer strategic access to Europe and beyond. Citizens of these countries enjoy growing opportunities for international travel and work.8. Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE, United Kingdom – Visa-free access across multiple regionsEuropean nations like Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, and Slovenia benefit from EU agreements, while the UAE and UK provide extensive visa-free access across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The UAE passport is increasingly influential due to expanding diplomatic ties.9. Canada – Strong North American passportCanada ranks ninth, with visa-free access to over 180 countries. Its passport is highly regarded for stability, strong international relations, and business-friendly policies, particularly across Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.10. Latvia, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Lithuania – Smaller nations with significant mobilityAlthough smaller in population and size, these countries offer strategically strong passports.

EU membership helps Latvia and Lithuania, Liechtenstein benefits from neutrality and economic stability, and Iceland provides access to Europe and North America, proving that even smaller nations can wield global mobility influence.

US passport drop highlights shifting global travel power and visa challenges

The US passport’s decline to 12th place represents more than just a number on a global index. It underscores the impact of international policy changes, including the removal of US citizens from Brazil’s visa-free list in April 2025 and restricted access to expanding visa-free countries in Asia such as China and Vietnam.

European passports, meanwhile, continue to gain strength, with Germany and France benefiting from visa-free access to new countries in Asia.For US travellers, this drop signals potential challenges in global mobility, requiring more visas and pre-approvals for destinations previously accessible. The shift also highlights the growing global influence of Asian passports in travel freedom.Also Read | World’s jumbo baby born in the US weighing 12 pounds 14 ounces amazes doctors; goes viral for his record-breaking birth