US Passport Slips to Lowest Ranking in Two Decades
Nation now tied at 10th place in global mobility index
The United States passport has experienced a significant drop in its global standing, now ranking tenth. This marks the lowest position for American travel documents in the twenty-year history of the Henley Passport Index.
Global Mobility Under Scrutiny
The latest report from the Henley Passport Index places the U.S. passport at number 10, a tie with Iceland and Lithuania. This development signifies a notable shift in international travel freedom for U.S. citizens.
Singapore claims the top spot for the most powerful passport in the world, with citizens able to access 192 destinations visa-free.
See the full ranking: https://t.co/j0Vz7Vz6pP #PassportIndex #HenleyPassportIndex #Travel #Visa pic.twitter.com/KkUj9qf05n
— Henley & Partners (@HenleyGlobal) July 23, 2025
The index evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Singapore leads the pack, offering visa-free entry to 192 locations worldwide, followed by Japan and South Korea at second place.
Diplomacy and Reciprocity Drive Rankings
According to Christian H. Kaelin, the originator of the passport index concept, international passport power is intrinsically linked to diplomatic efforts.
“The consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy,”
—Christian H. Kaelin, Inventor of the passport-index concept
He further elaborated that nations actively engaging in negotiating visa waivers and fostering reciprocal agreements are the ones that ascend in the rankings. Conversely, countries with less proactive diplomatic engagement tend to fall.
Top Passports and Shifting Tides
The top-tier rankings are dominated by European nations, with Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain all sharing the third position. Other nations achieving high rankings include Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden in fourth place.
India’s Notable Advancement
In a significant upward movement, India’s passport has climbed from the 85th position to 77th within a six-month period, demonstrating the impact of diplomatic outreach. As of July 2025, the Indian passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 62 destinations worldwide, a substantial increase from previous years (Business Standard).
The U.S. passport’s current standing places it alongside Iceland and Lithuania, a stark contrast to its historically strong performance. The report suggests that the United States is nearing a departure from the top ten altogether for the first time since the index’s inception.
