The Most Powerful Passports in 2025
Asian countries top the ranks; the US falls out of the top 10 most powerful passports in 2025 global power rankings.
A major geopolitical shift is being signalled in global travel freedom, as the definitive ranking of the most powerful passports in 2025 shows Asian nations dominating the top spots and the United States falling out of the top 10 for the first time in 20 years.
According to the Henley Passport Index, which measures passport strength by the number of destinations citizens can access visa-free, the new ranking highlights a deepening divide between nations prioritising diplomatic openness and those perceived as “resting on past privilege.”
The Most Powerful Passports in 2025 Leaders
The top three positions for the most powerful passports in 2025 reflect Asia’s strong influence on global mobility:
- Singapore (193 destinations)
- South Korea (190)
- Japan (189)
European countries round out the next tiers, with numerous nations tied for high positions, including Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland (188 destinations).
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has demonstrated the value of strategic visa agreements, climbing 34 places over the past decade to reach the 8th position (184 destinations, tied with the UK and others).
US Passport Power at a Historic Low
In a historic drop, the US passport has fallen to 12th place, now tied with Malaysia, offering visa-free access to 180 of the 227 destinations tracked by the Index.
The decline is attributed to a series of losses in travel access, including Brazil’s withdrawal of visa-free travel for Americans earlier this year, and the US being excluded from expanding visa-free lists in countries like China, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea.
Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, emphasised that the declining strength of the US passport “signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics.” He noted that nations embracing openness and cooperation are “surging ahead.”
Passport Power as a Measure of Soft Power
The latest rankings show that passport strength is no longer just a reflection of economic might, but increasingly a barometer of international cooperation and diplomatic trust.
The disparity between the travel freedom enjoyed by a nation’s citizens and its own openness to foreign visitors is a key factor in the overall ranking shift.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq remain the least powerful passports, with their citizens having access to fewer than 30 destinations without a prior visa.
Here is the full list of the 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)
