For the first time in twenty years, the United States passport has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful travel documents, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.
Once leading globally in 2014, the US now shares the 12th position with Malaysia, offering visa-free entry to 180 out of 227 destinations.
The 2025 index, compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), places Singapore at the top with visa-free access to 193 destinations.
South Korea follows closely with 190, while Japan ranks third with 189 destinations.
The report highlights that changing visa policies and diplomatic shifts have influenced the reshuffling of global rankings.
The decline in the US passport’s strength stems from several factors, including Brazil’s withdrawal of visa-free access earlier this year and the US’s exclusion from China’s expanding list of nations enjoying visa waivers.
Additionally, new entry restrictions from Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam have further reduced the American passport’s global reach. Somalia’s adoption of an eVisa system has also added to the challenges for US travellers.
The United Kingdom has also experienced a downturn, dropping from sixth to eighth place, its lowest position since topping the list in 2015.
Meanwhile, China continues to improve its global mobility standing, climbing from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025.
China now allows visa-free travel to 76 countries, 30 more than the United States, underscoring its expanding diplomatic engagement and focus on openness.
The Henley Openness Index paints a contrasting picture of US travel policy. While Americans enjoy visa-free access to 180 destinations, only 46 nationalities can enter the US without a visa, ranking it 77th in openness.
The US now trails behind Australia and stands only slightly ahead of Canada, Japan, and New Zealand in terms of travel reciprocity.
The findings underline a shift in global travel influence, signalling how diplomatic flexibility increasingly defines passport power in the modern world.
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