Singapore has once again claimed the title of the world’s most powerful passport, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. The nation-state, which was part of a six-way tie for the top spot in 2024, has now pulled ahead of other contenders. Singaporean passport holders can now enjoy visa-free access to 195 out of 227 global destinations, making it the most desirable passport for global travelers.
The Henley Passport Index and Its Rankings
The Henley Passport Index, created by migration consultancy Henley & Partners, ranks 199 passports annually based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without requiring a visa. “Visa-free” includes instances where no visa is required, or where simplified entry documents such as visas on arrival or electronic travel authorizations are sufficient. The rankings use data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are widely considered an authoritative measure of global mobility.
In second place this year is Japan, whose citizens can travel to 193 destinations visa-free. Meanwhile, four European countries—Germany, Italy, Spain, and France—along with Finland and South Korea, share third place, each offering visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Climbers and Fallers in the Rankings
Several countries have either climbed or fallen in the rankings over the past decade. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a standout performer, gaining visa-free access to 72 additional destinations in the last ten years. UAE passport holders now enjoy visa-free travel to 185 destinations, placing it just behind the United States, which grants access to 186 destinations.
However, not all countries have maintained or improved their rankings. The United States, which ranked second in 2015, has fallen to ninth place, marking a steep drop. Venezuela has experienced the sharpest decline over the same period, while passports from the United Kingdom and Canada have also slipped in the rankings.
China, on the other hand, has improved significantly, reaching 60th place in 2025. Its openness to other countries has also increased, with citizens from 58 destinations now allowed to visit China visa-free—half of those added in the past year.
The Weakest Passports on the Index
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index. Afghan passport holders can access only 26 destinations without a visa, including countries like Cambodia, Maldives, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, and Haiti. This marks the largest disparity between the strongest and weakest passports in the 19-year history of the index. By comparison, Singaporeans can visit 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghans.
Following Afghanistan, the weakest passports are from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Nepal, the Palestinian territories, Libya, and Bangladesh. Even North Korea ranks above these nations, with its citizens able to visit 41 destinations without requiring a visa.
A Reflection of Global Mobility
The Henley Passport Index highlights the growing gap in global mobility rights. While countries like Singapore continue to expand their citizens’ access to the world, others remain restricted by political, economic, and diplomatic challenges. The index serves as a reminder of the privileges associated with certain passports and the barriers faced by those holding weaker ones.
For Singapore, this achievement reflects the country’s strong diplomatic relationships and strategic partnerships across the globe. As global travel continues to recover post-pandemic, the power of passports remains a critical factor in determining mobility and opportunity.
Passports rank (Source:CNBC)
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