For the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, the United States passport has dropped out of the top 10 most powerful passports. Once ranked No. 1 in 2014, the US now sits at 12th place alongside Malaysia. People from both countries can travel to 180 out of 227 countries and territories without needing a visa.
London based Henley Passport Index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). A “powerful” passport is one that lets its holder enter many countries without a visa.
Asia leads Global rankings
Asian countries now dominate the top of the passport power list. Singapore sits at the top of the index with visa-free access to 193 destinations. South Korea is the second powerful with 190 destinations. Japan ranks third with access to 189 countries. Even European nations like Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland rank above the United States. But the dominance of Western passports like the US and UK is clearly weakening.
Where does India stand on world’s most powerful passport index?
India’s passport ranks 77th in 2025, which is an improvement from 85th position last year, 71st in 2006, while the lowest was 90th in 2021. Indian citizens can travel to roughly 60 countries visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival, depending on bilateral agreements and global entry policies. The Philippines and Sri Lanka have been added to the list of visa-free destinations. Other countries where Indians can travel without a visa include Angola (Africa), Barbados (North America), Bhutan (Asia), British Virgin Islands (North America), Burundi (Africa), Cambodia (Asia), Cape Verde Islands (Africa), and Comoro Islands (Africa).
China, meanwhile, has jumped from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025. Chinese nationals can now enjoy visa-free access to 37 additional countries, including Russia, Gulf states, South America, and several European nations.
Why has US passport has lost its edge?
The weakening of the US passport is the result of several recent changes in visa policies worldwide. This includes Brazil revoking its visa-free entry for US citizens in April 2025. China and Vietnam have excluded US citizens from their growing visa-free lists. Meanwhile, China has opened its visa-free gate for multiple European countries, including Germany and France.
Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Somalia have introduced new eVisa systems, which have significantly reduced US travel access. “The declining strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in rankings, it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics,” said Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners, in a statement. “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”
Back in 2014, the US held the No. 1 position, and it remained in the top 10 until earlier this year. While Americans can travel to 180 destinations visa-free, the US allows only 46 nationalities to enter its territory without a visa. This “limited openness” places the US 77th on the Henley Openness Index. This is one of the widest gaps in the world between travel granted and travel received. Richard Quest, CNN Business editor-at-large, said, “Travel openness is affected by new restrictions like ESTAs in the EU and UK. There is a clear link between US immigration policies and its passport power.”
Afghanistan remains last at 106th, with access to only 24 destinations. Syria is 105th, with 26 countries, and Iraq is 104th, with 29 destinations.
2025 Top 10 Most Powerful Passports
- Singapore (193 destinations)
- South Korea (190)
- Japan (189)
- Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland (188)
- Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands (187)
- Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (186)
- Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland (185)
- Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (184)
- Canada (183)
- Latvia, Liechtenstein (182)
- Iceland, Lithuania (181)
- USA, Malaysia (180)