NEW YORK (BN24)— The United States passport has fallen out of the top 10 most powerful passports for the first time since the Henley Passport Index began 20 years ago, signaling a shift in global travel mobility.
The index, compiled by global citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners with data from the International Air Transport Association, ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can enter visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival. The U.S. passport is now tied for 12th place with Malaysia, offering access to 180 of 227 destinations tracked worldwide.
Leading the rankings are Asian passports, with Singapore in first place at 193 visa-free destinations, followed by South Korea with 190, and Japan with 189.
The U.S. passport’s decline follows several international policy changes affecting visa arrangements. Brazil withdrew visa-free entry for U.S. citizens in April, citing a lack of reciprocity. China expanded visa exemptions for several European countries but excluded the U.S., and countries such as Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia, and Vietnam introduced new restrictions or visa policies limiting U.S. travel mobility.
Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, said the decline “signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics.” He added that “nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.” The United Kingdom also dropped two places to eighth, its lowest ranking ever.
Other nations have improved their positions. China has risen sharply from 94th place in 2015 to 64th this year, while the United Arab Emirates climbed 34 places over the past decade to eighth place.
Afghanistan remains last on the list, ranked 106th, with visa-free access to just 24 destinations.
The drop in the U.S. ranking also reflects a disparity in visa policies: While Americans can visit 180 countries without a visa, the U.S. allows only 46 nationalities visa-free entry. This gap is among the widest in the world and has fueled demand for alternative citizenship and residency options among Americans.
Despite the shift, experts say the practical difference for most travelers remains small. The Henley Passport Index is one of several tools measuring passport strength, with Arton Capital’s Passport Index naming the UAE the most powerful passport in 2025.
As global travel policies evolve, the U.S. passport’s slip out of the top 10 underscores changing dynamics in international travel and diplomacy.
