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Arabian Business
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Singapore remains most powerful passport as US and UK decline, UAE and emerging economies rise
Asian countries continue to lead global mobility, with Singapore holding its position as the world's most powerful passport, while the United States and United Kingdom experience long-term declines, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index released Tuesday. Singapore passport holders can travel visa-free or with visa on arrival to 193 destinations worldwide, the highest number of any passport. Japan and South Korea share second place with access to 190 destinations, reinforcing Asia's dominance in international travel freedom. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Henley & Partners (@henleyglobalcitizens) The United Kingdom, which ranked first in 2015, has dropped to sixth place, offering visa-free access to 186 destinations. The United States has fallen to tenth place, with visa-free or visa on arrival access to 182 destinations. The index, compiled by Henley & Partners using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), highlights the declining mobility of traditional Western powers. 'The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned and must be maintained through active and strategic diplomacy,' said Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index. 'Countries that neglect global engagement are losing ground.' Seven European Union countries — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain — share third place, each providing visa-free access to 189 destinations. Another seven European nations — Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — share fourth place with 188 destinations. Emerging economies are among the fastest risers. India has jumped eight places in six months to 77 th, adding two new visa-free destinations to reach 59. Saudi Arabia gained four new visa waivers, rising four places to 54th, with access to 91 destinations. The United Arab Emirates continues its rapid ascent, ranking eighth globally — the highest position ever for a Gulf nation. Over the past decade, the UAE climbed 34 places, from 42 nd to 8 th, thanks to strategic diplomacy and reciprocal visa agreements. China has also risen 34 places over the past decade to 60 th place, despite not yet gaining visa-free access to the European Schengen Area. Beijing has expanded visa-free access to 75 countries in 2025, up from fewer than 20 five years ago. This includes visa-free entry for all Gulf Cooperation Council countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE – as well as several Latin American nations including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. These moves are part of China's broader strategy to strengthen bilateral ties and boost tourism and trade. These developments also influence the Henley Passport Power Index, which ranks passports based on the percentage of global GDP their holders can access visa-free. While over 80 countries have improved their rankings by at least 10 places over the past decade, only 16 countries have declined. Venezuela experienced the sharpest fall, dropping 15 places to 45 th. The United States fell eight places, and the United Kingdom declined five. 'This is part of a broader reordering,' said Henley CEO Dr. Juerg Steffen, noting rising demand from Americans and British nationals for second citizenship and residency options. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document – it reflects your country's global relationships,' Steffen said. 'As geopolitical uncertainty grows, citizens of historically dominant nations are reassessing their mobility options.' The Henley Passport Index, first published in 2006, is widely regarded as a leading benchmark for passport strength and international travel freedom, used by governments, investors, and migration experts.
Skift
22-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
U.S. Passport Power Slips: See Which Countries Are Gaining Ground
The 2025 Henley Passport Index makes one thing clear: travel freedom isn't just a Western advantage anymore. And that shift isn't just about where people go on a holiday, it matters for companies, governments, and industries that rely on people being able to move easily across borders. The latest Henley Passport Index shows a reshuffling in the global mobility hierarchy. While familiar names still top the list — Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, and Finland — the momentum has clearly shifted. The United States, once ranked No. 1 just over a decade ago, has now dropped to 10th place. American passport holders can access 182 destinations without a visa. Last year, the U.S. ranked seventh. This year's position marks its lowest standing in two decades. The United Kingdom has also slipped. Now ranked sixth, the UK is down two places from last year. According to Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, the drop in rankings for both countries reflects broader shifts in global access. 'Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally,' Steffen said on Tuesday. 'As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we're witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security.' Asia Gains Ground as India Jumps Eight Spots While Western powers slide, several Asian countries are steadily climbing. Singapore, Japan and South Korea continue to hold the world's most powerful passport ranking. India made the most significant leap over the last six months, climbing eight spots from 85th to 77th. Indian passport holders can now visit 59 countries without a visa, up from 57. It's a modest gain in numbers, but a meaningful signal of growing diplomatic reach. The Henley Passport Index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The index is updated quarterly. Breaking Down Borders: Relaxed Visa Rules Are Opening Up the World Looser visa restrictions are greasing the wheels of global tourism, but the real question is whether these policies can sustain long-term growth or just offer a fleeting boost to countries eager for quick wins. Read More China's Openness Brings Real Change While China's mobility ranking is still at 60th place, its trajectory is striking. Since 2015, China has moved up 34 spots on the Henley Index. Unlike many rising nations, China has done this without gaining visa-free access to the EU's Schengen Area. Instead, it has focused on building partnerships with emerging markets. In 2025 alone, China granted visa-free entry to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Brazil, and Argentina. That brings the total number of nationalities allowed visa-free entry to China to 74. Five years ago, that number was under 20. The policy shift is already showing results. More than 20 million foreign travelers entered China without a visa in 2024, double the previous year, and nearly one-third of all international arrivals, according to China's National Immigration Administration. 'China's granting of visa-free access to several European states over the past two years has also contributed to the dominance of European passports at the top of the Henley Passport Power Index, which measures the percentage of global GDP each passport provides to its holders visa-free,' Henley said in a statement. Air travel in the region reflects the broader trend. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said overall global demand for air travel grew by 5.8% in the first five months of 2025. Asia-Pacific airlines led with 9.5% growth, while North America saw a modest 1.8% rise in international traffic, offset by a slight decline in domestic travel. UAE Breaks Into Top 10 The United Arab Emirates has also emerged as a top mobility player. Over the past decade, the UAE has climbed 34 spots in the Henley rankings. It now sits at eighth place, with visa-free access to 185 countries. The Gulf state has pursued a clear strategy of leveraging diplomatic ties to expand travel access. In May 2025, the UAE signed an agreement with Moldova granting visa-free travel to all Emirati passport holders. UAE citizens have also enjoyed visa-free access to the Schengen Area since 2015, thanks to an agreement with the European Union. The waiver allows for short-term visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is for all 26 Schengen countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
