#Singapore #London #United Kingdom #Passport #Visa-Free

Asian Countries Dominate the Passport Power Rankings

In the most recent Passport Index published by Henley & Partners, Singapore has emerged as the undisputed leader, showcasing the world’s most powerful passport. This passport grants its holders visa-free access to a remarkable 193 out of 227 global destinations. This ranking is supported by exclusive data sourced from Timatic, a leading service provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which evaluates passports based on the number of countries that can be accessed without prior visa arrangements.

The rankings underscore a marked trend where Asian nations lead the way in travel freedom, with Japan and South Korea securing the second position. Each of these countries provides access to 190 destinations without the need for a visa. Meanwhile, a strong representation from Europe rounds out the top five. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain each provide their citizens with access to 189 locations without a visa, sharing the third spot. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden follow closely, collectively holding the fourth place with access to 188 destinations. Notably, New Zealand, Greece, and Switzerland finish off the top five, proving that the competition for passport mobility has become increasingly international.

Conversely, Afghanistan finds itself at the bottom of the global mobility spectrum, as its citizens face significant restrictions, only able to visit 25 destinations without obtaining a visa beforehand. This illustrates a staggering gap of 168 destinations between the highest and lowest-ranked passports.

Trends and Changes in Passport Rankings

The latest data also reveals troubling trends for traditional Western powers. The United States and the United Kingdom have both dropped one place each in the ranking since the start of the year, continuing a long-term decline observed over several years. Once regarded as the most potent passports (the UK in 2015 and the US in 2014), they now hold the sixth and tenth positions, respectively. The British passport currently allows entry to 186 destinations, while the American passport provides access to 182. This continues to raise concerns about the United States’ potential departure from the top ten for the first time in the index's two-decade history.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, the creator of the passport index concept, attributed this decline to shifting global dynamics. He stated, “Traditional champions of mobility are losing ground in an increasingly multipolar world. As emerging economies liberalize their visa regimes and invest in diplomatic capital, historical powers like the UK and the US appear to be retreating behind more restrictive entry policies.”

There are a few notable advancements worth highlighting. For instance, the United Arab Emirates has seen significant improvements, climbing 34 spots in the past decade—from 42nd place to 8th. Another impressive success story comes from China, which has similarly climbed 34 places overall, from 94th to 60th since 2015. This progression is especially significant considering that unlike many other rapidly improving nations, China has yet to secure visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

The Asia-Pacific region is also emerging as a vital hub for global travel trends. IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, noted that overall demand for air travel experienced robust growth of 5.8% in the first five months of 2025, although it varied by region. Asian airlines notably led the charge, achieving a substantial 9.5% growth in traffic. In contrast, North America experienced a mere 1.8% growth in international traffic, offset by a national market contraction of 1%, leading to stagnation in overall demand.

The shifting landscape of passport power encapsulates broader changes in global mobility trends. As mobility becomes more critical in a globalized world, the rankings serve as a reminder of the evolving nature of international relations, directly impacting travel accessibility for millions around the globe.