U.S. Passport Drops 2 Places To No. 10 In World's Most Powerful List
The United States blue book continues its decade-long slide to the 10th spot on the Henley Passport Index, a ranking of the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
The U.S. blue book is tied for No. 10 in a new ranking of the world's most powerful passports—a ... More continuation of its slide from No. 1 in 2014. getty
Key Facts
Americans can travel visa-free to 182 countries around the world—four fewer than one year ago, when the U.S. was ranked No. 8.
In January 2025, the U.S. dropped one spot to No. 9.
Americans can access 11 fewer countries visa-free than holders of the No. 1 passport, Singapore.
A decade ago, in 2014, the U.S. jointly held the No. 1 position with the United Kingdom, which has slid to No. 6 in the 2025 ranking.
'Notably, the U.S. is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index's 20-year history,' Henley & Partners noted in a statement.
What Makes One Passport More Powerful Than Another?
Since 2006, Henley & Partners has monitored which of the world's passports deliver the most and least global mobility, based on exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Global mobility is a key measure of soft power for a nation's citizens when they go abroad. Citizens of Singapore—the No. 1 passport in the ranking—enjoy access to 193 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. The second most powerful passports in the world are Japan and South Korea, which each provides access to 190 destinations without a visa. A U.S. passport gives holders access to 182 destinations visa-free—putting the blue book on equal standing with Iceland and Lithuania. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document—it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships,' Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners said in a statement.
Why Has The U.s. Passport Fallen In The Power Rankings?
The United States is held back by its lack of reciprocity, according to how Henley & Partners calculates its ranking. While American passport holders can access 182 out of 227 destinations visa-free, the U.S. itself allows only 46 other nationalities to pass through its borders visa-free, putting it way down the Henley Openness Index in 80th place (compared to 10th place on the Henley Passport Index), barely outpacing Iraq.
Which Passports Have Made The Biggest Power Gains So Far In 2025?
Two Asian countries are the ranking's biggest movers and shakers since January. India jumped eight spots in six months, from No. 85 to No. 77, after adding two destinations and bringing its visa-free tally to 59. Over the same period, Saudi Arabia's citizens gained visa-free access to four countries, bringing its total to 91 countries, which lifts the kingdom four places to No. 54.
Which Passports Have Gained The Most Power Over The Past Decade?
Taking a longer view, two other Asian countries stand out as winners in the ranking since 2015. The United Arab Emirates shot up 34 places over the last 10 years from No. 42 to No. 8. Another notable climber is China, also rising 34 places from No. 94 to No. 60 since 2015, which Henley & Partners characterizes as 'particularly impressive considering that, unlike other top risers, China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe's Schengen Area.' The report attributes China's rise to its significant move towards greater openness, with the country granting visa-free access to over a dozen new passports since January. In 2025, passport holders from 75 nations have visa-free entry to China, a remarkable shift from fewer than 20 countries just five years ago.
Here Are The Top 10 Most Powerful Passports
As ranked by the Henley Passport Index (countries accessible visa-free):
Singapore (193) Japan, South Korea (190) Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Span (189) Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (188) Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland (187) United Kingdom (186) Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185) Canada, Estonia, U.A.E. (184) Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183) Iceland, Lithuania, U.S. (182)
Crucial Quote
'Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options'… as the U.S. adopts 'increasingly inward-looking policies,' Steffen noted in a statement.
Further Reading
Millionaires Are On The Move—Here Are The Countries Winning And Losing Wealthy Residents (Forbes)
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