The United States passport has fallen to its lowest-ever position in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, now ranking 10th in the world.

Once the world’s most powerful passport in 2014, the U.S. now trails behind 33 other countries when tied scores are taken into account.

The index, compiled quarterly by London-based firm Henley & Partners, measures passport strength based on visa-free access to 227 global destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Singapore maintains its position at the top of the 2025 list, with its passport granting visa-free entry to 193 countries—more than any other. Closely following are South Korea and Japan at No. 2, with access to 190 destinations. European countries dominate the third and fourth tiers, with nations like France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands offering visa-free access to 188 or more countries.

In stark contrast, Afghanistan ranks last at No. 99, with its citizens permitted entry to just 25 countries without a visa. Syria (27) and Iraq (30) round out the bottom three, highlighting a global “mobility gap” of over 160 destinations between the highest- and lowest-ranked passports.

The United Kingdom dropped to sixth place, while the United Arab Emirates, one of the index’s fastest risers, now ranks eighth—up from 42nd a decade ago. China has also climbed significantly, jumping from 94th to 60th place since 2015, despite limited access to Europe’s Schengen Area.

The U.S. now shares the 10th position with Iceland and Lithuania, providing visa-free access to 182 countries. Its decline comes amid recent policy changes, including the introduction of a controversial \$250 “visa integrity fee” for foreign visitors—a move critics say could deter international travelers.

Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners, attributes the shifting rankings to proactive diplomacy. “Access is earned — and must be maintained,” he said. “Countries that actively negotiate visa waivers and engage in strategic diplomacy continue to rise. Those that do not, fall behind.”

Alternative indexes echo similar trends. Arton Capital’s 2025 Passport Power Rank, updated in real-time, places the UAE at No. 1, followed by Spain. Their methodology includes territories excluded from Henley’s count, such as Kosovo and Hong Kong.

The most powerful passports for 2025
1. Singapore (193 destinations)
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, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185)
8. Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates (184)
9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183)
10. Iceland, Lithuania, United States (182)