WASHINGTON, July 23: The United States is teetering on the edge of falling out of the top 10 list of the world’s most powerful passports, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released this week. Once holding the top spot in 2014, the U.S. has now dropped to 10th place — its lowest ranking in the index’s 20-year history.

The index, compiled quarterly by London-based global citizenship and residency consultancy Henley & Partners, evaluates the freedom of movement afforded to holders of 199 passports across 227 destinations. The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Due to ties in visa-free access, 33 countries now rank ahead of the United States.

Topping the list for 2025 is Singapore, whose passport grants visa-free entry to 193 destinations — the most of any passport globally. Becoming a Singaporean citizen, however, is no easy feat. Applicants must have resided in the country for at least two years, meet criteria related to economic contributions, and, for males, fulfill mandatory national service.

Asian countries continue to lead in global mobility, with South Korea joining Japan at the No. 2 spot, offering access to 190 destinations without a visa. European Union member states dominate the third tier: Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Finland each provide visa-free travel to 189 destinations.

Further down, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden hold fourth place with access to 188 destinations. Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland take the fifth tier, with 187 destinations.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has slipped to sixth place with visa-free access to 186 destinations, just ahead of Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, and Poland, all tied at No. 7. Canada, Estonia, and the United Arab Emirates share eighth place, with 184 destinations.

The UAE, in particular, has made remarkable progress, soaring 34 places in the past decade—from 42nd to eighth—thanks to sustained diplomatic efforts. China, too, has climbed from 94th in 2015 to 60th today, despite lacking access to Europe’s Schengen Zone.

Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia hold ninth place, while the United States is now tied with Iceland and Lithuania at No. 10, with visa-free access to 182 destinations.

In a controversial move, a new provision under the Trump administration’s domestic policy bill will require international visitors to pay a “visa integrity fee” of at least $250, in addition to existing application charges. Critics, including the U.S. Travel Association, warn that the measure could deter global tourism.

Commenting on the rankings, Henley & Partners Chair Dr. Christian H. Kaelin said the index illustrates a fiercely competitive global mobility landscape.

“Access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy,” Kaelin said. “Countries that negotiate visa waivers and reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while those less engaged in such efforts decline.”

Henley’s list is one of several global passport rankings. Another index, produced by Arton Capital, monitors real-time data from 193 UN member states and six territories. According to Arton’s 2025 Global Passport Power Rank, the United Arab Emirates holds the top position with a visa-free or visa-on-arrival score of 179, followed by Spain with a score of 176.

Top 10 Most Powerful Passports (Henley Passport Index 2025):

At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains in last place (No. 99) with visa-free access to just 25 destinations, highlighting the stark global disparities in travel freedom.