U.S. Passport Power Slips: See Which Countries Are Gaining Ground

The latest Henley Passport Index shows a reshuffling in the global mobility hierarchy. While familiar names still top the list — Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, and Finland — the momentum has clearly shifted.

The United States, once ranked No. 1 just over a decade ago, has now dropped to 10th place. American passport holders can access 182 destinations without a visa. Last year, the U.S. ranked seventh. This year’s position marks its lowest standing in two decades.

The United Kingdom has also slipped. Now ranked sixth, the UK is down two places from last year.

According to Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, the drop in rankings for both countries reflects broader shifts in global access.

“Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally,” Steffen said on Tuesday. “As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we’re witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security.”

While Western powers slide, several Asian countries are steadily climbing. Singapore, Japan and South Korea continue to hold the world’s most powerful passport ranking.

India made the most significant leap over the last six months, climbing eight spots from 85th to 77th. Indian passport holders can now visit 59 countries without a visa, up from 57. It’s a modest gain in numbers, but a meaningful signal of growing diplomatic reach.

The Henley Passport Index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The index is updated quarterly.

While China’s mobility ranking is still at 60th place, its trajectory is striking. Since 2015, China has moved up 34 spots on the Henley Index.

Unlike many rising nations, China has done this without gaining visa-free access to the EU’s Schengen Area. Instead, it has focused on building partnerships with emerging markets. In 2025 alone, China granted visa-free entry to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Brazil, and Argentina. That brings the total number of nationalities allowed visa-free entry to China to 74.

Five years ago, that number was under 20.

The policy shift is already showing results. More than 20 million foreign travelers entered China without a visa in 2024, double the previous year, and nearly one-third of all international arrivals, according to China’s National Immigration Administration.

“China’s granting of visa-free access to several European states over the past two years has also contributed to the dominance of European passports at the top of the Henley Passport Power Index, which measures the percentage of global GDP each passport provides to its holders visa-free,” Henley said in a statement.

Air travel in the region reflects the broader trend. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said overall global demand for air travel grew by 5.8% in the first five months of 2025. Asia-Pacific airlines led with 9.5% growth, while North America saw a modest 1.8% rise in international traffic, offset by a slight decline in domestic travel.

The United Arab Emirates has also emerged as a top mobility player. Over the past decade, the UAE has climbed 34 spots in the Henley rankings. It now sits at eighth place, with visa-free access to 185 countries.

The Gulf state has pursued a clear strategy of leveraging diplomatic ties to expand travel access. In May 2025, the UAE signed an agreement with Moldova granting visa-free travel to all Emirati passport holders.

UAE citizens have also enjoyed visa-free access to the Schengen Area since 2015, thanks to an agreement with the European Union. The waiver allows for short-term visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is for all 26 Schengen countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

September 16-18, 2025 - NEW YORK CITY