That’s what the Henley Passport Index just revealed in their latest, dynamite update. Singapore will enjoy the prestige of having the world’s most powerful passport in 2025! This unprecedented ranking reflects Singapore’s unmatched visa-free access to 193 destinations around the world. It cements the nation’s standing as home to the most important international travel and diplomacy. The report reflects a conspicuous trend in global mobility, with several countries vying for top positions in the passport rankings.
Japan and South Korea follow Singapore in a tie for second place, with each offering travelers’ access to 190 destinations. Yet it is this very competitive landscape that exposes how diplomacy plays a critical role in increasing the movement of a country’s people. Other European countries are close behind in third place. This shows the European Union’s remarkable capacity to promote affordable travel for its citizens.
The Passport Rankings Explained
The Henley Passport Index evaluates the global freedom of movement for holders of 199 passports to 227 countries and territories. This comprehensive assessment ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. The 2025 Future rankings were released last week, and the race to the top has gotten even more intense. Countries are increasingly using strategic diplomacy to maximize the power of their passports.
Our neighbors on the other hand—countries such as Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain—have locked down third place. This victory is a testament to their robust diplomatic relationships. In the meantime, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden are ranking in 4th place. These countries have built a brand around promoting international connections that serve their citizens well when it comes to international travel.
Outside of these rankings, Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland are tied for fifth with access to 187 destinations. Australia, together with Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, and Poland is sixth equal. These countries are clearly going in the right direction. Their progress highlights how vital diplomatic push can be in determining the freedom of movement available through citizens.
The United States and Global Mobility
The United States ranks T10th overall with Iceland and Lithuania, handing their passport holders visa-free access to 182 destinations. This is a significant decline in rank from past years. This requires us to reallocate our attention back toward diplomatic engagement. This steep decline in standing has led many to question what this means for American travelers and their ability to move throughout the world.
Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley and Partners made the following observation about the trends seen in the rankings. He noted that “the consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy.” Countries will need to be more tactical in how they improve the strength of their passports. This is especially important in today’s hyper-competitive environment.
Strangely, the former top power, the United Kingdom, is in fact currently in 98th place, with only 27 visa-free access destinations. This dramatic fall illustrates the very real difficulties faced from their inability to create positive diplomatic relations since Brexit. In sharp contrast, Afghanistan places last on the index, with access to only 25 destinations.
Success Stories in Global Mobility
This year’s rankings deliver an amazing success story— the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over the last ten years, it has risen a shocking 34 positions. Designed for simplicity and versatility, this jump highlights the UAE’s dedication to improving its reputation on the world stage using smart diplomacy and international coalitions. The country’s taken a very forward leaning approach and as a result, Emirati citizens are reaping the benefits with stronger passport power. Now, they have much more mobility around the world.
Countries continue to chart a complicated course through the chaos of international diplomacy and travel bans. In this environment, the Henley Passport Index is a key barometer for measuring global mobility. It reflects not only the state of international relations but the importance of strategic diplomacy in shaping a nation’s standing on the world stage.
