Singapore has once again claimed the top spot in the Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 193 out of 227 global destinations, according to the latest rankings released in July 2025.

The Index, compiled using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, measures the strength of passports based on how many countries holders can enter without a prior visa.

Japan and South Korea secured joint second place, with their passports granting access to 190 destinations. Seven EU member states — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain — followed closely in third, each with visa-free access to 189 destinations.

Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden were tied in fourth with access to 188 countries.

New Zealand joined Greece and Switzerland in fifth place, each offering access to 187 destinations.

The United Kingdom fell to sixth, with visa-free entry to 186 destinations.

The United States dropped to 10th place, providing access to 182 countries — its lowest position in over a decade.

Analysts note this is the first time the U.S. passport is at risk of falling out of the top ten, reflecting a broader trend of stagnation in its global mobility score.

The founder of the index,
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, stated, “The consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy. Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.”

China has granted visa-free entry to 75 countries, a sharp increase from fewer than 20 just five years ago, according to the latest Henley Openness Index. The expansion reflects Beijing’s efforts to deepen diplomatic and economic ties through increased travel access.

Newly added countries include Gulf nations such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, as well as Latin American economies like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.

Rank Country / Group Visa‑Free Destinations

1.Singapore 193

2.Japan; South Korea 190

3 Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Ireland; Italy; Spain 189

4 Austria; Belgium; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Sweden 188

5 Greece; New Zealand; Switzerland 187

6 United Kingdom 186

7 Australia; Czechia; Hungary; Malta; Poland 185

8 Canada; Estonia; United Arab Emirates 184

9 Croatia; Latvia; Slovakia; Slovenia 183

10 United States; Iceland; Lithuania 182