According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Singapore holds the title for the world's most powerful passport.
In 2024, Singapore was among six countries that shared the top position in the rankings compiled by migration consultancy Henley & Partners, which evaluates passports based on the number of destinations accessible to holders without a visa.
Singapore surpassed the other five nations—Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France—by allowing its citizens visa-free entry to 195 out of 227 global destinations, as reported in the ranking released on Wednesday.
Japan ranks second, with visa-free access to 193 locations, while the four European countries that were tied for first place last year, along with Finland and South Korea, occupy third place, each permitting passport holders to visit 192 destinations without a visa.
European countries, along with New Zealand, dominate the remainder of the top 20 list.
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports worldwide using data from the International Air Transport Association.
The term "visa-free," as defined by the index, encompasses scenarios where no visa is required or where easier-to-obtain entry documents, such as visas on arrival, visitor permits, and electronic travel authorities, are necessary.
Notable Changes in Rankings
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the "biggest climbers" in the rankings, having gained visa-free access to 72 destinations over the past decade, totaling 185 destinations globally.
It closely follows the United States, whose citizens can visit 186 locations without a visa, according to the rankings.
The U.S. is among 22 countries that have seen a decline in their passport rankings over the past decade.
Surprisingly, the U.S. is the second-largest faller from 2015 to 2025, dropping seven places from 2nd to its current 9th position," the press release noted.
Passports from the United Kingdom, which led the list in 2015, and Canada have also seen a decline.
China has improved its ranking, reaching 60th place in 2025, with a significant increase in its openness to other nations, now allowing citizens from 58 destinations to enter visa-free—half of which were added in the last year, according to the Henley Openness Index.
Lowest Rankings
Afghanistan continues to hold the position of the weakest passport, ranked last for allowing access to only 26 out of 227 destinations. Afghan citizens can visit countries like Cambodia, the Maldives, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, and Haiti without a visa.
The disparity between the strongest and weakest passports is the largest in the 19-year history of the index, as noted by Henley & Partners. Singaporeans can travel to 169 more destinations than Afghans without needing a visa.
Following Afghanistan, the weakest passports belong to Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Nepal, the Palestinian territories, Libya, and Bangladesh, all ranking below North Korea, whose citizens can access 41 destinations worldwide, according to the rankings.
Here are the key points from the 2025 Henley Passport Index:
- Top Ranking: Singapore has the world's most powerful passport, allowing visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations.
- Tied Countries: In 2024, Singapore was one of six countries that shared the top position, including Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
- Japan's Position: Japan ranks second with visa-free access to 193 destinations.
- Third Place: Four European countries, Finland, and South Korea share third place, each allowing access to 192 destinations without a visa.
- UAE's Rise: The United Arab Emirates has significantly improved its ranking, gaining access to 72 new destinations over the past decade, totaling 185.
- U.S. Decline: The United States has fallen from 2nd to 9th place, with citizens able to visit 186 destinations without a visa.
- China's Improvement: China has moved up to 60th place, now allowing visa-free access for citizens from 58 countries.
- Weakest Passport: Afghanistan has the weakest passport, allowing access to only 26 destinations, with a significant gap between the strongest and weakest passports.
- Other Low Rankings: Following Afghanistan, the weakest passports belong to Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Nepal, the Palestinian territories, Libya, and Bangladesh, all ranking below North Korea, which allows access to 41 destinations.
