The United States has slipped to 10th place in the Henley Passport Index, marking its lowest position in the index’s 20-year history. In 2014, the U.S. held the top spot, but as of mid-2025, 33 countries now outrank it, owing to shared scoring positions in Henley’s methodology.
The Henley Passport Index assesses passport strength based on visa-free access to 227 destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Currently, U.S. citizens can travel visa-free to 182 destinations, placing them behind countries like Singapore (193), South Korea and Japan (190), and several EU nations (189–188).
This drop coincides with new U.S. visa policies, including a $250 “visa integrity fee” for nonimmigrant travelers. Though not yet implemented, critics argue it could discourage tourism, impacting the country’s global image and economic interests.
Meanwhile, Singapore remains No.1, offering unmatched global access. Asian nations lead, with Europe following closely. Afghanistan ranks lowest, with access to only 25 destinations, illustrating a stark 168-country mobility gap between top and bottom.
Henley chairman Christian Kaelin highlighted that passport power depends on strategic diplomacy and reciprocal visa agreements. Countries like the UAE and China have significantly improved their rankings due to proactive international engagement.
This evolving passport landscape underscores the importance of global cooperation and smart foreign policy to maintain travel privileges and global influence.