For the first time in twenty years, the United States passport has fallen out of the global top 10, now ranking 12th.
This development marks a wider shift in international travel freedom, as Asian countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan continue to lead, reflecting increasing trends in openness, cooperation, and global accessibility.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is placed 96th in the most recent Henley Passport Index, on the same level as Ethiopia, Lebanon, and Myanmar. Nigerian passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 44 destinations, underscoring the travel limitations they face compared to those holding higher-ranking passports.
According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free access, the US passport now provides entry to 180 of the 227 countries and territories monitored, sharing the same rank as Malaysia.
In comparison, Singapore holds the top position, granting visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189. The top 10 list is now largely dominated by Asian countries, showing how strategic diplomacy and international collaboration are reshaping global mobility.
Several recent developments have contributed to the decline of the US’s ranking. Brazil reintroduced visa requirements for American travellers in April due to reciprocity concerns, while China extended visa-free entry to several nations but left out the US. Updates to travel policies in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia’s new eVisa system, and Vietnam’s visa regulations also affected the US position.
Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, described the situation as “a fundamental change in global mobility and soft power dynamics,” stressing that nations embracing openness are making progress, while traditional advantages no longer secure top rankings.
The United Kingdom has also experienced a drop, moving from 6th to 8th, its lowest point since 2015. Meanwhile, China has seen a dramatic improvement, rising from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, with access to 37 more destinations through strategic diplomatic ties across Europe, South America, Russia, and the Gulf region.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates has advanced significantly, climbing 34 positions in the past decade. India, however, slipped from 80th to 85th, with visa-free access to 57 destinations, after briefly attaining 77th place earlier in the year.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan continues to hold the weakest passport, with access to only 24 countries, followed by Syria with 26 and Iraq with 29. The difference between the world’s most and least powerful passports now covers 169 destinations.
Top 10 Global Passports
Singapore – 193 countries
South Korea – 190 countries
Japan – 189 countries
Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland – 188 countries
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands – 187 countries
Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 186 countries
Australia, Czechia, Malta, Poland – 185 countries
Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom – 184 countries
Canada – 183 countries
Latvia, Liechtenstein – 182 countries
