Latest news with #HenleyOpennessIndex
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
India makes biggest jump to 77th in Global Passport rankings; Singapore continues to hold the top spot
Agencies Singapore has retained its position at the top of the Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 193 out of 227 global destinations. The ranking, published in July 2025, is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and reflects the number of destinations a passport allows entry without a prior neighbours Japan and South Korea follow in joint second place, with visa-free access to 190 destinations each. European Nations maintain strong presence Seven European Union nations - Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain are tied in third place, each with access to 189 destinations. The fourth spot is shared by Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden, all offering entry to 188 destinations. New Zealand breaks into the top five along with Greece and Switzerland, each providing access to 187 destinations. India jumps eight ranks, shows strongest gain India has recorded the largest improvement since January 2025, moving up eight spots from 85th to 77th, with visa-free access to 59 destinations. The sharp rise is attributed to diplomatic outreach and increased bilateral agreements, despite only two new additions in visa-free Arabia also made gains, adding four destinations and moving up four spots to 54th with 91 destinations. UK and US slide further in rankings The United Kingdom has dropped to 6th place, offering visa-free access to 186 countries, while the United States now ranks 10th with access to 182 destinations. Both countries have steadily fallen in rankings over the past decade. Notably, this is the first time the US is at risk of falling out of the Top Christian H. Kaelin, founder of the index, stated, 'The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy. Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.' UAE and China drive long-term mobility growth The United Arab Emirates has climbed 34 ranks over the past decade to 8th place, the only nation among the biggest risers to break into the Top 10. China also moved up 34 spots, from 94th to 60th, largely due to increased openness and visa to the Henley Openness Index, China has granted visa-free access to 75 countries, a significant rise from fewer than 20 five years ago. Recent additions include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Top 10 most powerful passports: Rank Country Visa-Free Destinations 1 Singapore 193 2 Japan, South Korea 190 3 Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain 189 4 Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden 188 5 Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland 187 6 Australia, Czech Republic, Poland, United Kingdom 186 7 Canada, Hungary, United States 182 8 Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates 181 9 Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia 180 10 Iceland 179 Global mobility gap widens Afghanistan remains the lowest-ranked passport, offering visa-free access to just 25 destinations, highlighting a gap of 168 countries compared to 16 countries have dropped in ranking over the past decade. Venezuela recorded the sharpest decline, falling 15 places to 45th. The US dropped eight places, followed by Vanuatu (-6), the UK (-5), and Canada (-4). Air travel demand rises with Asia-Pacific in lead Global air travel demand rose 5.8% in the first five months of 2025, with Asia-Pacific carriers showing the strongest growth at 9.5%, according to IATA. In contrast, North America saw a slower international growth rate of 1.8%, with a 1% contraction in its domestic market. Passport power now reflects Global strategy Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, noted a shift in global strategy, with more individuals from traditionally strong passport countries now seeking alternative to the report by Henley & Partners, 'Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally. Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships,' said Steffen. 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Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
10 least open African countries for visa-free entry by mid-2025
As of mid-2025, visa-free entry remains a major hurdle in parts of Africa, with several countries maintaining restrictive policies that limit access for foreign nationals. The Henley Openness Index, which ranks 199 countries and territories based on the number of nationalities they allow entry without a prior visa, shows that many African nations still lag in facilitating seamless cross-border travel. This limited openness stands in contrast to the ambitions of regional frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aim to boost intra-African trade, economic collaboration, and mobility. Restrictive visa regimes undermine these goals by creating barriers to business, tourism, and the free movement of skilled labor which are key components of economic development. In addition to slowing commerce, such policies also restrict cultural exchange and youth mobility across the continent. Given that Africa's youth make up the majority of its population and are vital to driving innovation and growth, easing travel restrictions is not just a diplomatic imperative but an economic one. Least open African countries as of July 2025 The latest data from Henley's Openness Index reveals the top 10 African countries with the least number of nationalities granted visa-free or visa-on-arrival access. These nations maintain some of the most restrictive entry policies on the continent, limiting mobility for travelers, investors, and professionals alike. Rank Country Rank Score 1 Equatorial Guinea 101st 3 2 Eritrea 100th 4 3 Libya 99th 5 4 South Sudan 98th 6 5 Algeria 98th 6 6 Congo (Dem. Rep.) 97th 7 7 Sudan 96th 8 8 Cameroon 96th 8 9 Mauritania 95th 11 10 Gabon 94th 12 As of mid-2025, several African nations remain among the world's least open in terms of visa-free access, limiting regional mobility and economic integration. Equatorial Guinea ranks the lowest on the continent, allowing visa-free entry to just 3 countries, with an openness score of 1.52%. Eritrea follows with access to 4 nationalities (2.02%), while Libya permits 5 (2.53%). Algeria allows entry from only 6 countries (3.03%), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) grants visa-free access to 7 (3.54%). As Africa pushes toward greater unity and economic convergence, the need for liberalized travel regimes is becoming increasingly urgent.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
U.S. Passport Drops 2 Places To No. 10 In World's Most Powerful List
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)
