Asian Nations Secure Top Spots in Global Passport Power Rankings Amidst Decline of US and UK

Leadership in Global Passport Rankings

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Singapore emerges as the most powerful passport worldwide, gaining visa-free access to an impressive 193 out of 227 destinations. This report, based on exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), emphasizes a continuing trend where Asian nations dominate the global mobility landscape. Notably, Japan and South Korea share the second position, each offering access to 190 destinations without the need for a visa.

The European Contingent

While Asian nations lead the rankings, a strong European presence is seen within the top five. Seven EU nations—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain—occupy the third spot, each allowing access to 189 destinations. Following closely, another set of European countries including Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden tie for fourth, providing entry to 188 destinations. Surprisingly, New Zealand stands alone as the only non-European challenger within the top five, joining Greece and Switzerland at fifth place.

The Low End of the Spectrum

At the opposite end lies Afghanistan, ranked last with merely 25 destinations accessible visa-free, marking an astounding 168-destination gap compared to Singapore’s leading position. This statistic highlights the immense disparity in global mobility and the challenges that certain regions face.

Trends Among Major Players

In a notable decline, both the UK and US have fallen one position in the global passport rankings from January, continuing their historical downward trajectory. Once leaders of passport power—the UK in 2015, and the US in 2014—now they stand at 6th and 10th, respectively. Currently, the UK offers visa-free travel to 186 destinations, while the US provides access to 182. Alarmingly, the US is on the brink of falling out of the top 10 for the first time in the Henley Passport Index’s 20-year existence.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, the innovator behind the passport index concept, believes that traditional quality passport holders are losing their advantages in an increasingly multi-polar world. He comments, "As emerging economies liberalize their visa policies, legacy powers like the UK and the US seem to retreat into greater restrictions."

Notable Improvements in Global Mobility

Amidst the winners, the UAE has seen a remarkable ascent, climbing 34 spots over the last decade to secure 8th place. Similarly, China has made significant gains, jumping 34 positions from 94th to 60th since 2015. This is particularly notable since China has yet to gain visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen zone, proving that their diplomatic efforts are swiftly influencing their passport power.

Air Travel Demand

The Asia-Pacific region not only leads in passport strength but also drives global travel demand. According to the IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, overall air travel demand has surged, reflecting a strong growth of 5.8% during the first few months of 2025, led by the Asia-Pacific airlines at a remarkable 9.5% growth. North America, in contrast, reported a 1.8% increase that was counteracted by a 1% reduction in domestic traffic, leaving demand nearly stagnant there.

In conclusion, the Henley Passport Index underscores a significant shift in global travel dynamics, with Asian nations making remarkable strides while traditional powerhouses like the US and UK experience a slow decline. As travel continues to adapt, these rankings do not only reflect passport access but also signify broader geopolitical changes shaping our world today.