logo
U.S. Passport Drops 2 Places To No. 10 In World's Most Powerful List

U.S. Passport Drops 2 Places To No. 10 In World's Most Powerful List

Forbes4 days ago
Topline
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)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration
The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

Politico

time38 minutes ago

  • Politico

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

'I can't say the administration is the reason why the people I know want to part ways from America. Some are planning to move for a better quality of living life,' Harris said. Auston Holleman, an American YouTuber who has lived in various countries for almost a decade, said he settled on Kenya nine months ago because people 'look like me.' 'It is not like going to Europe or going to some Latin American countries where there are not many Black people,' he said. Holleman, who often films his daily life, said he felt that the social fabric in the U.S. was 'broken.' In contrast, he said he felt socially accepted in Kenya. He cited an experience when his taxi driver's car stopped, and in five minutes they got help from a random stranger. 'That made me realize I was in the right place,' he said. Other African countries have attracted even larger numbers of African Americans. Ghana, which launched a 'Year of the Return' program to attract the Black diaspora in 2019, said last year it held a ceremony that granted citizenship to 524 people, mostly Black Americans. African American businesses such as Adilah Relocation Services have seen a notable rise in the number of African Americans seeking to move to Kenya. The company's founder, Adilah Mohammad, moved to Kenya four days after her mother's funeral in search of healing. She says the peace and restoration she experienced in Kenya made her stay — and advocate for those searching for the same. Her company helps clients relocate by house hunting, shopping for furniture and ensuring banking and medical services are seamless. 'There are 15 families that have come so far, and we have five more on the calendar that are coming in the next 90 days. We have people that have booked for 2026 with no date, they just know that they are leaving,' she says. Mohammad said many African Americans have been planning their move for decades. 'For me it is a movement. It is people deciding to make a choice for themselves, they are not being forced, shackles are being broken. When they say they are coming home, they are choosing to be free and it is mental freedom and so I am ecstatic,' she says. Experts say African economies are likely to benefit from these moves, especially from those willing to tackle corruption and create a healthy environment for investors. Raphael Obonyo, a public policy expert at U.N-Habitat, says the U.S is losing resources — as well as the popular narrative that America is the land of opportunities and dreams. 'This reverse migration is denting that narrative, so America is most likely to lose including things like brain drain,' he explained. For Mohammad, the sense of belonging has given her peace within. 'I love being here. Returning to Africa is one thing, but finding the place that you feel like you belong is another,' she said.

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

time2 hours ago

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Kenneth Harris spent most of his days in Atlanta yearning for a life in a place where his dark skin color is not a source of suspicion, but a mark of a shared heritage. His chance came two years ago when he bought a one-way ticket to Kenya. The 38-year-old retired veteran has found a community in the east African country's capital, where he now runs an Airbnb business. He loves admiring Nairobi's golden sunset from a rooftop terrace, and enjoys a luxurious lifestyle in a tastefully furnished apartment in an upmarket neighborhood. Harris is part of a growing wave of African Americans who are relocating to Kenya, citing the need to connect with their ancestors — or 'coming home," a phrase often used among the Black community. Like dozens of other African Americans who have moved to Nairobi in recent years, Harris was attracted to Kenya's tropical climate and what he describes as the warmth and friendliness of the people he believes he shares a history and culture with. 'I have always had that adventurous spirit, especially when I joined the military and got to go to different countries. So I am taking the opportunity to venture out to new places," he said. 'That is what allowed me to make a home away from home and Kenya is my new home.' Some friends have reaching out to him to explore a 'change from the U.S for their peace of mind,' he said. Several other African Americans who have 'come home' like him have set up thriving businesses in Nairobi that include travel agencies, restaurants and farms. Many African Americans who have sought a better life abroad or are considering it said President Donald Trump's administration — with its crackdown on diversity programs — isn't the main reason they want to move. Rather, most say they had been mulling a move for some time, and the current political environment in the U.S. may be pushing them to act sooner than initially planned. 'I can't say the administration is the reason why the people I know want to part ways from America. Some are planning to move for a better quality of living life,' Harris said. Auston Holleman, an American YouTuber who has lived in various countries for almost a decade, said he settled on Kenya nine months ago because people 'look like me.' 'It is not like going to Europe or going to some Latin American countries where there are not many Black people,' he said. Holleman, who often films his daily life, said he felt that the social fabric in the U.S. was 'broken." In contrast, he said he felt socially accepted in Kenya. He cited an experience when his taxi driver's car stopped, and in five minutes they got help from a random stranger. 'That made me realize I was in the right place,' he said. Other African countries have attracted even larger numbers of African Americans. Ghana, which launched a 'Year of the Return' program to attract the Black diaspora in 2019, said last year it held a ceremony that granted citizenship to 524 people, mostly Black Americans. African American businesses such as Adilah Relocation Services have seen a notable rise in the number of African Americans seeking to move to Kenya. The company's founder, Adilah Mohammad, moved to Kenya four days after her mother's funeral in search of healing. She says the peace and restoration she experienced in Kenya made her stay — and advocate for those searching for the same. Her company helps clients relocate by house hunting, shopping for furniture and ensuring banking and medical services are seamless. 'There are 15 families that have come so far, and we have five more on the calendar that are coming in the next 90 days. We have people that have booked for 2026 with no date, they just know that they are leaving,' she says. Mohammad said many African Americans have been planning their move for decades. 'For me it is a movement. It is people deciding to make a choice for themselves, they are not being forced, shackles are being broken. When they say they are coming home, they are choosing to be free and it is mental freedom and so I am ecstatic,' she says. Experts say African economies are likely to benefit from these moves, especially from those willing to tackle corruption and create a healthy environment for investors. Raphael Obonyo, a public policy expert at U.N-Habitat, says the U.S is losing resources — as well as the popular narrative that America is the land of opportunities and dreams. 'This reverse migration is denting that narrative, so America is most likely to lose including things like brain drain,' he explained. For Mohammad, the sense of belonging has given her peace within. 'I love being here. Returning to Africa is one thing, but finding the place that you feel like you belong is another,' she said.

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration
The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

Hamilton Spectator

time7 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenneth Harris spent most of his days in Atlanta yearning for a life in a place where his dark skin color is not a source of suspicion, but a mark of a shared heritage. His chance came two years ago when he bought a one-way ticket to Kenya. The 38-year-old retired veteran has found a community in the east African country's capital, where he now runs an Airbnb business. He loves admiring Nairobi's golden sunset from a rooftop terrace, and enjoys a luxurious lifestyle in a tastefully furnished apartment in an upmarket neighborhood. Harris is part of a growing wave of African Americans who are relocating to Kenya, citing the need to connect with their ancestors — or 'coming home,' a phrase often used among the Black community. Like dozens of other African Americans who have moved to Nairobi in recent years, Harris was attracted to Kenya's tropical climate and what he describes as the warmth and friendliness of the people he believes he shares a history and culture with. In search of community and a better life 'I have always had that adventurous spirit, especially when I joined the military and got to go to different countries. So I am taking the opportunity to venture out to new places,' he said. 'That is what allowed me to make a home away from home and Kenya is my new home.' Some friends have reaching out to him to explore a 'change from the U.S for their peace of mind,' he said. Several other African Americans who have 'come home' like him have set up thriving businesses in Nairobi that include travel agencies, restaurants and farms. Many African Americans who have sought a better life abroad or are considering it said President Donald Trump's administration — with its crackdown on diversity programs — isn't the main reason they want to move. Rather, most say they had been mulling a move for some time, and the current political environment in the U.S. may be pushing them to act sooner than initially planned. 'I can't say the administration is the reason why the people I know want to part ways from America. Some are planning to move for a better quality of living life,' Harris said. Auston Holleman, an American YouTuber who has lived in various countries for almost a decade, said he settled on Kenya nine months ago because people 'look like me.' 'It is not like going to Europe or going to some Latin American countries where there are not many Black people,' he said. Holleman, who often films his daily life, said he felt that the social fabric in the U.S. was 'broken.' In contrast, he said he felt socially accepted in Kenya. He cited an experience when his taxi driver's car stopped, and in five minutes they got help from a random stranger. 'That made me realize I was in the right place,' he said. Growing numbers are interested in leaving the US Other African countries have attracted even larger numbers of African Americans. Ghana, which launched a 'Year of the Return' program to attract the Black diaspora in 2019, said last year it held a ceremony that granted citizenship to 524 people, mostly Black Americans. African American businesses such as Adilah Relocation Services have seen a notable rise in the number of African Americans seeking to move to Kenya. The company's founder, Adilah Mohammad, moved to Kenya four days after her mother's funeral in search of healing. She says the peace and restoration she experienced in Kenya made her stay — and advocate for those searching for the same. Her company helps clients relocate by house hunting, shopping for furniture and ensuring banking and medical services are seamless. 'There are 15 families that have come so far, and we have five more on the calendar that are coming in the next 90 days. We have people that have booked for 2026 with no date, they just know that they are leaving,' she says. Mohammad said many African Americans have been planning their move for decades. 'For me it is a movement. It is people deciding to make a choice for themselves, they are not being forced, shackles are being broken. When they say they are coming home, they are choosing to be free and it is mental freedom and so I am ecstatic,' she says. Experts say African economies are likely to benefit from these moves, especially from those willing to tackle corruption and create a healthy environment for investors. Raphael Obonyo, a public policy expert at U.N-Habitat, says the U.S is losing resources — as well as the popular narrative that America is the land of opportunities and dreams. 'This reverse migration is denting that narrative, so America is most likely to lose including things like brain drain,' he explained. For Mohammad, the sense of belonging has given her peace within. 'I love being here. Returning to Africa is one thing, but finding the place that you feel like you belong is another,' she said. _____________ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store