US Drops Out of World’s Most Powerful Passport Top 10 for the First Time

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

For the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, the United States has fallen out of the global top 10 for travel freedom.

The ranking, compiled by Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), measures how many destinations passport holders can access without a prior visa.

Asian Nations Dominate the Rankings

Three Asian countries now lead the 2025 index:

Singapore – 193 visa-free destinations

South Korea – 190 destinations

Japan – 189 destinations

The US now sits at 12th place, tied with Malaysia, granting visa-free access to 180 of 227 destinations.

Reasons for the US Decline

Once the world’s most powerful passport in 2014, the US has seen a steady decline due to a combination of reciprocal visa withdrawals and policy shifts by other nations:

Brazil revoked visa-free access for US citizens in April, citing lack of reciprocity.

China extended visa waivers to several European countries but excluded the US.

Papua New Guinea and Myanmar introduced new visa rules limiting US mobility.

Somalia and Vietnam launched new entry systems that similarly excluded the US.

According to Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, this drop “signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power,” where “nations embracing openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those relying on past privilege are being left behind.”

Other Notable Movements

The UK passport also slipped two places to its lowest-ever position—8th.

China climbed from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, gaining access to 37 more destinations.
The United Arab Emirates made one of the largest jumps, rising from 42nd to 8th over the past decade.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list (106th), with access to only 24 destinations.

Limited US Openness

While Americans can travel to 180 destinations visa-free, the US itself only allows 46 nationalities to enter without a visa — one of the lowest reciprocities globally. This imbalance has reportedly led to a growing number of Americans seeking dual citizenship or alternative residence options abroad.

Despite the decline, experts note that the impact for most travelers is minimal, as top-tier passports still offer extensive global access.