Singapore has ascended again to the pinnacle of the 2025 Henley Passport Index, solidifying its position as the world’s most powerful passport. With visa-free access to 195 destinations out of 227 globally, Singapore has outpaced Japan, which now holds the second spot with a score of 193. The annual report, which evaluates 199 passports’ ability to secure visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, reflects a shifting geopolitical and environmental landscape.
The data, drawn from exclusive IATA records, underscores how passports have become more than travel tools—they are now symbols of a nation’s global standing and its citizens’ freedom.
Europe’s Declining Dominance
Several European countries, once dominant in the rankings, have experienced a notable dip. France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—previous powerhouses—have all slipped to third place, sharing the spot with Finland and South Korea. Each of these countries provides visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Further down the rankings, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden form a seven-nation bloc in fourth place, with access to 191 destinations. Meanwhile, Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK sit in fifth place, offering their citizens visa-free entry to 190 countries.
This slight decline among traditional leaders signals a redistribution of global mobility power.
Afghanistan: A Stark Contrast
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains firmly at the bottom, with visa-free access to only 26 destinations. This marks the widest-ever gap in the index’s 19-year history. Singaporeans enjoy visa-free access to 169 more destinations than Afghan passport holders—a staggering disparity highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by nations plagued by conflict and instability.
Chairman Calls for a Rethink on Citizenship
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, emphasized the urgent need for reform in citizenship.
“As global temperatures rise, natural disasters escalate, and political instability displaces communities, the very notion of citizenship and its birthright lottery needs fundamental rethinking,” Dr. Kaelin remarked in the report.
His comments underscore the increasingly critical role passports play in mobility and providing safety, refuge, and opportunity amid global crises.
The Rise of Asia and the UAE
Outside of Europe, Australia ranked sixth with 189 destinations, Canada seventh with 188, and the United States ninth with 186. The UAE, one of the most dynamic climbers over the past decade, claimed the tenth spot, now offering visa-free access to 185 countries—an impressive jump from 113 destinations in 2015.
China, too, has made remarkable progress. Climbing from 94th place in 2015 to 60th in 2025, China added 40 new visa-free destinations over the past decade. It has also become more open, granting visa-free entry to 58 nations—a sharp contrast to the United States, which permits only 46 countries the same access.
US and UK Face Mobility Challenges
The decline of the US and UK in the Henley Passport Index has been a recurring theme over the last decade. The United States has fallen seven places since 2015, while the British passport, once the world’s most potent in 2015, now sits in fifth place.
Annie Pforzheimer, Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted the internal factors driving the US’s decline.
“The inward-looking and isolationist policies of recent years, coupled with potential policy shifts under a second Trump administration, could exacerbate the country’s decline in global mobility,” she noted.
Surge in Demand for Dual Citizenship
As global mobility wanes for some, others turn to dual citizenship as a hedge against political and economic uncertainty. Americans, in particular, have emerged as the top applicants for alternative citizenship, accounting for 21% of all investment migration program applications processed by Henley & Partners in 2024.
Prof. Peter J. Spiro, an expert on dual citizenship, attributes this surge to increasing political instability.
“With the looming potential of a Trump reprise, alternative citizenship is being viewed as a form of political risk insurance. Americans can no longer take stability for granted,” he explained.
Implications for Global Power Dynamics
The evolving trends in passport rankings reflect broader geopolitical shifts. While Asia, led by Singapore, consolidates its global influence, the relative decline of Western nations like the US and UK raises questions about their long-term positioning on the world stage.
As China and the UAE strengthen their global mobility scores, their growing openness and soft power will likely reshape international relationships.
Conclusion: Mobility in a Divided World
The 2025 Henley Passport Index paints a vivid picture of a world in flux. While some nations expand their global reach, others face growing constraints. Passports have never been more valuable for individuals—not just as a means of travel but as symbols of opportunity, refuge, and security in an uncertain world.
For a detailed look at the full report, visit Henley & Partners.
Written by: Charmaine Lu
