The Henley Passport Index, a globally recognized ranking based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), evaluates passports by the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa.
In 2025, Asian and European nations dominate the top ranks, with some notable shifts reflecting changing diplomatic relations and global mobility trends.
Below is a detailed look at the 10 most powerful passports in 2025, based on the latest Henley Passport Index rankings.
1. Singapore (193 Destinations)
Singapore retains its crown as the world’s most powerful passport in 2025, offering visa-free access to 193 out of 227 global destinations.
Its consistent top ranking reflects Singapore’s strong diplomatic ties and strategic visa-waiver agreements.
The city-state’s passport holders enjoy unparalleled travel freedom, including access to major global hubs, bolstered by its recent reinstatement of visa-free travel to China.
2. Japan (190 Destinations)
Japan secures the second spot with visa-free access to 190 destinations. After sharing the top spot in previous years, Japan’s passport remains a powerhouse, regaining visa-free access to China for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Japan’s strong international reputation and diplomatic efforts continue to ensure its citizens enjoy extensive travel privileges.
3. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain (189 Destinations)
Seven European nations tie for third place, each offering visa-free access to 189 destinations. These countries—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain—benefit from the European Union’s robust diplomatic network and reciprocal visa agreements.
Despite dropping two places from 2024, their passports remain among the world’s elite, providing seamless access to most global destinations.
4. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (188 Destinations)
Another strong European cohort occupies fourth place, with these seven nations granting visa-free access to 188 destinations. Their passports reflect the EU’s collective strength in negotiating visa waivers, ensuring holders can travel widely with ease.
The slight drop from last year’s rankings highlights the competitive nature of global mobility.
5. Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom (187 Destinations)
Tied for fifth place, Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom offer visa-free access to 187 destinations.
Greece’s rise in the rankings, fueled by its growing appeal to high-net-worth individuals and favorable tax policies, marks it as a notable climber.
New Zealand remains the only non-European nation in this group, while the UK continues a gradual decline from its former top spot in 2015.
6. Australia, Malta (186 Destinations)
Australia and Malta share sixth place, with visa-free access to 186 destinations. Australia’s strong diplomatic relations in the Asia-Pacific and beyond ensure its passport’s high ranking, while Malta benefits from its EU membership and strategic global ties.
Both nations offer significant travel freedom, though they trail slightly behind the top European contenders.
7. Canada, Poland (185 Destinations)
Canada and Poland tie for seventh place, with visa-free access to 185 destinations. Canada’s passport remains a strong contender, though it has dropped three places over the past decade.
Poland, leveraging its EU membership, continues to provide its citizens with robust travel privileges.
8. Czechia, Hungary, United Arab Emirates (184 Destinations)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joins Czechia and Hungary in eighth place, with visa-free access to 184 destinations.
The UAE’s remarkable climb—up 34 places since 2015—makes it the only Arab nation in the top 10, driven by aggressive diplomatic efforts to secure visa waivers.
Czechia and Hungary maintain strong positions due to their EU affiliations.
9. Estonia, United States (183 Destinations)
The United States, once a joint holder of the top spot in 2014, has slipped to ninth place, tied with Estonia, with visa-free access to 183 destinations.
The U.S. passport’s decline reflects reduced reciprocity and geopolitical shifts, with new visa requirements, such as Brazil’s, impacting its ranking.
Estonia, meanwhile, benefits from its EU membership and growing diplomatic influence.
10. Iceland, Lithuania (182 Destinations)
Iceland and Lithuania round out the top 10, with visa-free access to 182 destinations. Both nations leverage their EU and Schengen affiliations to secure strong travel freedom, though they sit at the lower end of the top tier.
The U.S. joins them in this rank, marking its lowest position in the Henley Passport Index’s 20-year history.
Table: Top 10 Rankings
| Rank | Country/Countries | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 193 |
| 2 | Japan | 190 |
| 3 | Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain | 189 |
| 4 | Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden | 188 |
| 5 | Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom | 187 |
| 6 | Australia, Malta | 186 |
| 7 | Canada, Poland | 185 |
| 8 | Czechia, Hungary, United Arab Emirates | 184 |
| 9 | Estonia, United States | 183 |
| 10 | Iceland, Lithuania | 182 |
Trends and Insights
The 2025 rankings highlight the dominance of Asian and European passports, with Singapore and Japan leading the charge.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and UK’s declines reflect challenges in maintaining visa-free access amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.
Notably, China’s climb from 94th to 60th since 2015 signals increasing openness, with visa-free access granted to 75 nations in 2025.
For the full ranking, visit henleypassportindex.com.
The article was edited with AI and reviewed by human editors
