Latest news with #GlobalPassportRanking
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Why the US passport dropping out of top 10 matters for student mobility and international learning
US passport drop in global ranking may affect student mobility and academic travel. (AI Image) The US passport has fallen to 10th place in the latest Henley Passport Index, marking the lowest position for the country since the index's inception two decades ago. This decline reflects the limited number of destinations US passport holders can enter without a visa, which has implications for student mobility, international exchange programmes, and global learning initiatives. As of the latest update, US passport holders can access 182 destinations visa-free, placing the country in a three-way tie for 10th place with Iceland and Lithuania. In comparison, the top-ranking passport—Singapore—grants visa-free access to 193 destinations. The US has been slipping in the rankings each year since 2014, when it held the top position. Falling rankings reflect diplomatic challenges According to the Henley Passport Index, which is compiled using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the decline signals a broader diplomatic trend. Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, said in a press release that "your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships," as reported by CBS News. Countries that proactively negotiate visa waivers and build reciprocal agreements are performing better in the rankings. Dr Christian H. Kaelin, the creator of the passport index, stated that the current trend shows "access is earned – and must be maintained – through active and strategic diplomacy," according to CBS News. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo Implications for students and academic travel The drop in passport ranking could directly impact American students seeking international learning opportunities. With reduced visa-free access, students may face more administrative barriers when applying for short-term academic exchanges, research programmes, or internships abroad. For example, while students from countries with higher-ranking passports such as Singapore (193 destinations) and Japan or South Korea (190 destinations each) may travel more freely, US students may need to secure visas for an increasing number of countries. US ranks low on openness to other nationalities Henley & Partners also reported that the US ranks poorly in terms of openness. It currently allows visa-free entry to only 46 other nationalities. This limited access could discourage reciprocal arrangements with other nations, potentially affecting academic partnerships and student exchange frameworks. Comparison of passport power rankings Global Passport Ranking (Henley Passport Index 2025): Based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Henley Passport Index tracks the travel freedom of 199 passports across 227 destinations. Updated monthly, it is the leading global standard for assessing passport power and international mobility. Passport Rank in 2025 Visa-Free Access (Number of Countries) Passport Rank in 2025 Access Singapore 1st 193 Japan 2nd 190 South Korea 2nd 190 Denmark 3rd 189 Finland 3rd 189 France 3rd 189 Germany 3rd 189 Ireland 3rd 189 Italy 3rd 189 Spain 3rd 189 Austria 4th 188 Belgium 4th 188 Luxembourg 4th 188 Netherlands 4th 188 Norway 4th 188 Portugal 4th 188 Sweden 4th 188 Greece 5th 187 New Zealand 5th 187 Switzerland 5th 187 United Kingdom 6th 186 Australia 7th 185 Czechia 7th 185 Hungary 7th 185 Malta 7th 185 Poland 7th 185 Canada 8th 184 Estonia 8th 184 United Arab Emirates 8th 184 Croatia 9th 183 Latvia 9th 183 Slovakia 9th 183 Slovenia 9th 183 Iceland 10th 182 Lithuania 10th 182 United States 10th 182 Broader consequences for global mobility The fall in the US passport's power coincides with what Henley described as the US and UK "retreating behind more restrictive entry policies," as reported by CBS News. This could have longer-term implications for cross-border educational cooperation, especially for students needing flexible travel options for academic or professional development. The US Department of State has not issued an official comment, according to CBS News. However, American travellers, including students, can use the State Department's "Learn About Your Destination" tool to check visa requirements for specific countries. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India's passport ranking jumps from 85 to 77: How many countries Indians can visit visa-free?
Global Passport Ranking 2025: India has recorded its biggest-ever rise in the ranking of the world's most powerful passports. In the latest quarterly update of the Henley Passport Index, created by the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, India climbed eight spots to rank 77th, up from 85th last year. The number of destinations Indian passport holders can now visit visa-free or with visa-on-arrival has increased marginally to 59 from 57. Indian citizens can now travel to 59 destinations without needing to secure a visa beforehand. Popular Asian tourist hotspots such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Thailand are among the countries offering visa-free entry, while Macau, and Myanmar, provide visa-on-arrival access. The Philippines and Sri Lanka are the two countries that have been added to the list of visa-free destinations. While the increase of just two additional countries may seem small, the diplomatic significance is larger: India has overtaken several neighbours in terms of travel freedom and now sits ahead of countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh in global mobility rankings. Asian nations dominate the top of the Henley Index: Singapore holds the number one spot, offering visa-free travel to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea are tied for second, each granting access to 190 countries. Seven European countries — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain — share the third spot with 189 destinations. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden share the 4th place, while New Zealand, Greece, and Switzerland are tied for 5th. Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta and Poland are tied at No. 7, while Canada, Estonia and the United Arab Emirates are at No. 8. Traditionally powerful passports like those of the United States and United Kingdom have seen a gradual decline: The UK has dropped to 6th place with access to 186 destinations, down from 5th in January. The US passport has slipped to 10th, offering entry to 182 destinations, a drop from 9th earlier this year. Both countries have previously topped the index, the UK in 2015 and the US in 2014 but have seen waning influence as other nations increase their bilateral agreements and travel privileges. Saudi Arabia made the largest gain in the latest update, adding four new visa-free destinations since January and now allowing travel to 91 countries. China has climbed a remarkable 34 places since 2015 — from 94th to 60th — though it still lacks visa-free access to the Schengen Area in Europe. At the bottom of the Index, Afghanistan remains in last place at rank 99, offering its citizens visa-free access to only 25 destinations — one fewer than at the beginning of the year. Syria follows at 98th with access to 27 countries, and Iraq ranks 97th, with entry to just 30 destinations. This creates a stark mobility gap of 168 destinations between the world's most powerful and weakest passports, underscoring the vast inequality in global travel freedom. According to Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, a passport today is more than a travel document — it reflects a country's diplomatic influence, global integration, and foreign policy priorities. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever,' Steffen said in a press release. He also noted the growing interest among American and British nationals in acquiring alternative citizenships, citing increased demand for residence-by-investment and second passport programmes. The Henley Passport Index is a globally respected ranking of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can travel to without obtaining a visa in advance. The index is compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated quarterly.
