Henley Passport Index 2025: US Passport Drops Out of Top 10 After 20 Years

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Henley Passport Index 2025 US Passport Drops Out of Top 10 After 20 Years

Henley Passport Index 2025: For the first time in two decades, the United States has dropped out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports, a striking sign of changing global mobility and influence. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the US passport now ranks 12th, tied with Malaysia, slipping behind countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. The decline highlights a growing shift in international travel freedom and soft power once firmly held by the United States.

Key Takeaways on the 2025 Henley Passport Index Rankings

  • The US slips to 12th position, its lowest in 20 years, tied with Malaysia.
  • Singapore tops the global list with visa-free access to 193 destinations.
  • India ranks 85th, with visa-free entry to 57 countries, down from 59 last year.
  • US passport power declines due to reciprocity imbalance and restrictive policies.
  • Brazil, China, Vietnam, and Somalia recently limited visa-free entry for Americans.
  • The fall marks a shift in global influence, with Asian and European nations dominating the top ranks.

Understanding the Henley Passport Index

The Henley Passport Index (HPI) is a globally recognized ranking that assesses the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Established in 2006 by Henley & Partners, the HPI utilizes data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated regularly to reflect changes in international travel policies.

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As of 2025, the index includes 199 passports and evaluates access to 227 travel destinations worldwide. The rankings serve as a valuable tool for understanding global mobility trends and the diplomatic relationships between countries.

Henley Passport Index 2025: A Two-Decade Low for the American Passport

The 2025 Henley Passport Index marks a historic moment when the United States has been knocked out of the top 10 for the first time in 20 years. Just a decade ago, the US jointly held the No. 1 position with the United Kingdom. Now, both countries have slipped with the UK at 8th place and the US down to 12th.

A Two-Decade Low for the American Passport

In January 2025, the US was ranked ninth, fell to tenth in July, and by October, it had been overtaken by smaller European and Asian nations. Experts call it a “wake-up call” for a nation that once represented unrestricted global movement.

Why the US Passport is Losing Power

Experts attribute the decline to limited reciprocity and an “isolationist mindset” that has shaped US travel policies in recent years. While American citizens can travel to 180 destinations visa-free, the US itself allows only 46 other nationalities to enter without a visa ranking just 77th in global openness.

Countries like Brazil, Vietnam, and China have responded by tightening entry for Americans. In 2024, Brazil reinstated visa requirements for US travelers after Washington failed to reciprocate. Similarly, China and Vietnam excluded the US from their expanded visa-free programs, while Somalia’s new eVisa system and other restrictions delivered the final blow.

According to Annie Pforzheimer, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “The United States’ isolationist mindset is now being reflected in America’s loss of passport power.”

Asian Nations Lead the Global Mobility Race

Asian Nations Lead the Global Mobility Race
  • The 2025 rankings are dominated by Asian countries, reflecting their growing influence and global partnerships.
  • Singapore holds the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free entry to 193 countries.
  • South Korea follows with 190 destinations, and Japan ranks third with 189.
  • These countries have built strong bilateral ties and open travel agreements, allowing their citizens unparalleled global access.
  • In contrast, Western nations like Canada (ranked 9th), Australia (7th), and the United Kingdom (8th) are slowly losing ground as global travel powerhouses.

Europe Maintains Its Stability

Despite the Asian surge, Europe continues to show remarkable consistency in the top ranks. Nations such as Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland remain among the strongest passports globally, offering visa-free access to 188 destinations.

Also Read: UK Foreign Office Travel Warning: Why Passport Holders Must Carry Backup Plans and Extra ID

Stable diplomacy, strong trade relations, and open border policies across the European Union have ensured that these nations retain their place at the top.

Where Does India Stand in 2025?

India’s position has also seen a dip this year. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, India ranks 85th, five places lower than in 2024. Indian citizens can now travel visa-free to 57 countries, compared to 59 last year.

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Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to countries like Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, Indians can obtain visas on arrival in 27 destinations, including popular tourist spots such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan, and Qatar.

Among its neighbors, Bhutan (92nd) has a stronger passport than India, while Bangladesh (100th), Nepal (101st), and Pakistan (103rd) lag behind.

The Global Passport Power List: Who’s on Top in 2025

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As per the latest Henley Index, here’s how the top 10 looks this year:

1. Singapore – 193 destinations

2. South Korea – 190

3. Japan – 189

4. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland – 188

5. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands – 187

6. Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 186

7. Australia, Czechia, Malta, Poland – 185

8. Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE, United Kingdom – 184

9. Canada – 183

10. Latvia, Liechtenstein – 182

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport, offering visa-free access to just 24 countries.

Changing Dynamics of Global Mobility

The decline in US passport power is more than just a reshuffle in rankings. It reflects a deeper transformation in how countries engage globally.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Index, said in a press release , “The declining strength of the US passport signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics. Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”

The data also shows that countries offering wider travel freedom but limited reciprocity like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are witnessing stagnation or decline in passport power.

The New Era of Global Mobility

The fall of the US passport in global rankings marks a turning point in international travel freedom. It symbolizes not just a decline in mobility, but a shift in global influence toward nations that champion collaboration, openness, and mutual respect in foreign policy.

As Asian and European countries rise with strategic global partnerships, America’s challenge now lies in rebuilding its diplomatic reciprocity and travel openness to regain its lost status in global mobility.

Spiritual Insight: The True Passport to the Next Life with Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj

Just as we need a passport to travel from one country to another, our soul requires a spiritual passport to journey from this world to the next after death. A fake or improper passport is of no use and ultimately leads to loss and suffering. Similarly, following a fake guru or unverified teachings cannot guide the soul toward liberation.

Currently, Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj  provides the real, mantra-based guidance as described in our sacred scriptures. By taking Naam Diksha from Him, we can create our Satnaam passport, ensuring safe passage to Satlok, the eternal abode described in the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita. The Gita (Chapter 4, Verse 32) emphasizes seeking refuge under a Tatvdarshi Sant and offering respectful obeisance.

The key question arises: how can one identify a Tatvdarshi Satguru? 

Satguru Ke Lakshan Kahu, Madhure Bain Binod 

Char Ved Shat Shashtra, Vo Kahen Athara Bodh 

A true Satguru carries the divine knowledge of the holy scriptures like Vedas , provides Satyabhakti, and guides disciples toward spiritual liberation. Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj embodies these qualities today. By taking Naam Diksha from Him, we can secure our soul’s journey to Satlok and attain eternal well-being.

For more guidance and spiritual knowledge, visit www.jagatgururampalji.org and watch teachings on the YouTube channel: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj.

FAQs on US Passport Falling Out of World’s Top 10 in 2025

1. Why did the US passport fall out of the top 10 in 2025?

The US passport dropped to 12th place due to limited reciprocity, stricter visa policies, and exclusion from countries like Brazil, China, Vietnam, and Somalia, reducing Americans’ global travel freedom, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index.

2. Which country now holds the world’s most powerful passport?

Singapore leads the 2025 Henley Passport Index with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189), reflecting Asia’s dominance in global mobility.

3. How does the US passport compare to India’s in 2025?

The US ranks 12th, tied with Malaysia, while India is 85th, allowing visa-free travel to 57 countries. US citizens enjoy wider global access, but India’s mobility remains moderate.

4. Which countries have strengthened their passports in 2025?

Asian nations like Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and European countries such as Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain maintain strong passports due to openness, bilateral travel agreements, and stable diplomacy.

5. What does the decline of the US passport indicate globally?

The drop reflects a shift in global mobility and soft power, favoring nations embracing openness and cooperation, while countries relying on past privileges, like the US, face stagnation or decline in international travel influence.

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