For the first time in two decades, the United States has fallen out of the top 10 in the Henley Passport Index, a global ranking that measures passport strength based on visa-free travel access. The 2025 report places the U.S. in 12th position, tied with Malaysia, giving both nations visa-free entry to 180 destinations out of 227 worldwide.
The index, compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), highlights a growing divide in global travel freedom. At the top of the 2025 list stand three Asian nations:
1. Singapore (193 destinations)
2. South Korea (190)
3. Japan (189)
A Shift in Global Mobility
In 2014, the U.S. ranked No. 1, but its standing has weakened due to a series of diplomatic and visa policy shifts. In April, Brazil reinstated visa requirements for U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens over a lack of reciprocity. China, meanwhile, has expanded visa-free access to dozens of European countries — excluding the U.S. Similarly, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea adjusted their entry rules in favor of other nations.
> “The declining strength of the U.S. passport signals a shift in global mobility and soft power,” said Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners. “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are advancing, while those relying on past privilege are falling behind.”
Rising Powers
The United Kingdom has also dropped to 8th place, its lowest ranking ever. In contrast, China has made significant progress — rising from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025 — by securing visa-free agreements with Russia, the Gulf states, South America, and parts of Europe.
The United Arab Emirates has similarly seen a dramatic rise, climbing 34 spots in a decade to join the UK in 8th place.
At the other end of the index, Afghanistan remains in last place (No. 106) with visa-free access to only 24 destinations, followed by Syria (26) and Iraq (29) — a stark gap of 169 destinations separating the world’s most and least powerful passports.
