According to the annual Henley & Partners Passport Index, the power of a US passport has diminished compared to its previous status.
According to the index, the United States ranks ninth among countries in terms of passport strength, with visa-free access to 227 destinations.
Singapore has secured the first position, granting its citizens visa-free access to a remarkable 195 destinations.
The 2025 Henley Passport Index reveals that the desirability of a US passport has decreased compared to its previous status. This index, which has been published for 19 years, highlights the changing landscape of global travel and the varying levels of access granted by different passports.
The US passport, which was previously ranked first in 2014, has now dropped to ninth place in the index. This index ranks passports based on the number of destinations they offer visa-free access to out of a total of 227. American travelers can currently enter 186 countries and territories without a visa, excluding Nigeria, India, and Russia.
Based on data from the International Air Transport Authority and supplemented with internal research and open-source online data, Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport for the second consecutive year, according to UK-based consulting firm Henley & Partners. With a remarkable total of 195 destinations accessible, Singapore’s passport offers unparalleled travel freedom.
Ranked second on the list is the Japanese passport, boasting a visa-free score of 193. Sharing the third spot are six countries including Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain. Notably, the United Arab Emirates is the sole Middle Eastern country to secure a position in the top ten. Impressively, it has climbed a staggering 55 places in the overall index since 2010.
Having a strong passport grants individuals the freedom to travel without the hassle of visa applications.
Nepal, Somalia, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan occupy the lowest positions in the ranking. While Singapore grants visa-free access to a remarkable 195 countries and territories, possessing an Afghan passport only provides visa-free access to a limited 26 countries.