The most powerful passports in the world for 2025 have been revealed – and the UK travel document has again fallen down the rankings.
According to this year’s Henley Passport Index, Singapore’s red travel document continues to offer the most seamless international travel as the world’s most powerful passport. The Asian nation ranked the best on the global mobility spectrum with easy access to 193 destinations.
Other nations, like the US, have seen their position fall significantly, despite formerly ranking well.
What is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 countries based on the number of destinations their passport holders can visit visa-free.
It was launched in 2005 by Henley Global, an investment firm, as the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index. The ranking was renamed the Henley Passport Index in January 2018.
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is used to assess travel restriction information. The index ignores temporary airspace restrictions, and considers the power of a “normal” passport (not diplomatic or emergency documents).
How powerful is the UK passport in 2025?
UK passports were the world’s most powerful for three consecutive years between 2013 and 2015. Post-Brexit, the blue document has consistently fallen down the rankings. This year, the UK’s passport is in sixth place, offering visa-free travel to 186 destinations.
After Singapore, Japanese and South Korean nationals are in second place, with the option to visit 190 destinations without a visa.
Seven EU passports share third place: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, all with access to 189 destinations.
Saudi Arabia made the biggest rise in rankings, climbing four places to the 54th position. Nationals can visit 91 destinations without a visa.
As for the lowest score recorded by the index, Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with just 25 countries accessible visa-free.
How powerful is the US passport in 2025?
In the last 10 years, only 16 passports have fallen in power, including Venezuela, down 15 places, and the US, dropping down eight places.
The US, with 182 visa-free destinations, has fallen to 10th place. The former passport powerhouse held first place on the index in 2014.
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO at Henley & Partners, said: “Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships. In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.”
What are the most powerful passports in 2025?
- Singapore – 193 visa-free destinations
- Japan, South Korea – 190 visa-free destinations
- Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain – 189 visa-free destinations
- Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 188 visa-free destinations
- Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland – 187 visa-free destinations
- United Kingdom – 186 visa-free destinations
- Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland – 185 visa-free destinations
- Canada, Estonia, UAE – 184 visa-free destinations
- Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia – 183 visa-free destinations
- Iceland, Lithuania, United States – 182 visa-free destinations
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