In a revealing update, the 2025 Henley Passport Index has named Singapore as the holder of the world's most powerful passport. The ranking, which utilizes data from the International Air Transport Association, evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations that passport holders can access without requiring a visa.
Singaporeans enjoy unprecedented travel freedom, gaining visa-free access to a total of 193 destinations. This marks a significant advantage over Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the list with its passport granting access to only 24 destinations. As a result, Singaporeans can visit 169 more places than Afghans without needing a visa. The gap between the strongest and weakest passports is now the largest in the index's 19-year history, highlighting growing disparities in global mobility.
Japan closely follows Singapore, ranking second on the index with visa-free access to 193 locations. Meanwhile, a group of four European nations, along with Finland and South Korea, share third place, each allowing their citizens to visit 192 destinations without a visa.
The United Arab Emirates has made notable progress as one of the "biggest climbers" on the list, having gained visa-free access to 72 additional destinations over the past decade. In stark contrast, the United States has experienced a decline, falling seven places from second to ninth position in just ten years. According to Henley & Partners, "Surprisingly, the US is the second-biggest faller between 2015 and 2025 after Venezuela."
China has also experienced a rise in its ranking, now positioned at 60th place in the index. The country has significantly increased its openness to international travel, allowing citizens from 58 destinations to visit without a visa—half of which were added in the past year.
The United Kingdom and Canada have similarly seen their standings decline, reflecting changing global dynamics as travel policies evolve. The Henley Passport Index serves as an important barometer for understanding international relations and mobility trends, with its rankings offering insights into how countries position themselves on the world stage.
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