If you’re planning international travel, your U.S. passport just lost some of its power. For the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, the United States passport has officially fallen out of the world’s Top 10 most powerful.
Just over a decade ago, the American passport was ranked #1—granting near-unmatched global access. But according to Henley & Partners’ latest 2025 report, it now sits at #12, tied with Malaysia.
🧳 What Makes A Passport Powerful?
A passport’s strength is determined by the number of destinations its holders can enter without applying for a visa beforehand, known as visa-free access–the higher the number, the more “powerful” the passport.
Other contributing factors include a country’s diplomatic relationships, global openness, and reciprocity agreements.
🌍 Why The U.S. Passport Dropped In Ranking
According to the report, several small but significant access changes have quietly pushed the U.S. out of the Top 10:
- 🇧🇷 Brazil reinstated visa requirements for Americans in April due to a lack of reciprocity
- 🇨🇳 China expanded its visa-free list to dozens of countries—but the U.S. didn’t make the cut
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam recently added new visa-free countries but excluded the U.S.
- 🇲🇲 Myanmar and 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea made adjustments that boosted other nations’ rankings
- 🇸🇴 Somalia launched a new eVisa system, shifting several countries’ positions
✈️ How The U.S. Ranks Now
U.S. passport holders currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180 destinations out of 227 worldwide. That might sound impressive until you compare it to Singapore, which tops the list with access to 193 destinations.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports In The World Right Now
- Singapore – access to 193 destinations
- South Korea – access to 190 destinations
- Japan – access to 189 destinations
- Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland – access to 188 destinations
- Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands – access to 187 destinations
- Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – access to 186 destinations
- Australia, Czechia, Malta, Poland – access to 185 destinations
- Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom – access to 184 destinations
- Canada – access to 183 destinations
- Latvia, Liechtenstein – access to 182 destinations
That means American travelers now sit just outside the top tier, with similar access to Malaysia rather than Europe’s travel leaders.
💡 The Growing “Openness Gap”
One key reason for the drop is what experts call the openness gap—the difference between how many countries U.S. citizens can enter visa-free versus how many countries the U.S. allows in return.
Right now, the U.S. allows only 46 nationalities to enter without a visa, ranking #77 globally on the Henley Openness Index.
Countries that limit visa-free entry for others, like the U.S., Canada, and Australia, have all seen stagnation or declines in passport power over the past decade.
🌐 What It Means For American Travelers
Practically speaking, this doesn’t mean Americans will suddenly struggle to travel—but it does highlight a shift in global mobility.
More travelers are noticing that some destinations once easy to visit now require more paperwork or fees, while others are opening up primarily to Europeans and Asians.
Henley & Partners notes a sharp rise in Americans seeking dual citizenships or second passports—with applications for investment-based migration programs up 67% in 2025 compared to last year.
The firm says Americans now make up the largest share of global clients applying for these programs, surpassing those from the next four nationalities—Turkish, Indian, Chinese, and British—combined.
🗺️ What’s Next For The U.S. Passport?
Experts say the shift isn’t permanent—but it is a signal that global travel dynamics are changing.
Countries like China and the UAE have climbed dramatically in the rankings by expanding visa-free access and forming new international partnerships.
Meanwhile, the U.S. passport—once seen as the ultimate travel ticket—now reflects a world that’s become more reciprocal, more competitive, and more open elsewhere. As Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chair of Henley & Partners, puts it:
The declining strength of the U.S. passport signals a fundamental shift in global mobility. Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.
Still, with access to 180 destinations, the American passport remains one of the most desirable travel documents in the world—even if it’s not as unbeatable as it once was.
📊 About The Henley Passport Index
Created in 2006, the Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and additional in-house research.
The list is updated monthly and is widely considered one of the most accurate indicators of global mobility and international access.
Learn more at Henley & Partners’ website.