Singapore has emerged as the world’s most powerful passport, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations globally. This marks a notable departure from 2024, when Singapore shared the top spot with five other countries.
The annual ranking, published by migration consultancy Henley & Partners, evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa.
Top Performers: Who Leads and Who Follows
Singapore’s passport surpassed those of Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, which collectively tied for first place last year.
- Japan ranks second in 2025, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations.
- Germany, Italy, Spain, France, along with Finland and South Korea, share the third spot, with access to 192 destinations each.
- European countries and New Zealand dominate the remainder of the top 20 rankings.
Climbers and Fallers
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been one of the most significant risers over the past decade, gaining visa-free access to 72 additional destinations. UAE passport holders can now visit 185 destinations, positioning the country just behind the United States, whose passport allows visa-free travel to 186 destinations.
The U.S., however, experienced a decline in the rankings, falling to ninth place, down from second in 2015. The Henley Passport Index attributes this to reduced visa-free access and global shifts in diplomatic agreements. The United Kingdom and Canada also slipped in the rankings compared to their peak positions a decade ago.
Meanwhile, China climbed to 60th place, granting its passport holders access to 58 visa-free destinations, half of which were added in the past year, showcasing an increasing openness to international travel.
The Weakest Passports
At the bottom of the index is Afghanistan, which allows its citizens visa-free access to just 26 destinations, including Cambodia, Maldives, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, and Haiti.
Other countries with weak passport rankings include Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Nepal, the Palestinian territories, Libya, and Bangladesh. Notably, North Korea ranks slightly higher, with its citizens able to visit 41 destinations.
The Growing Gap
The gap between the strongest and weakest passports is at its widest in the Henley Passport Index’s 19-year history. Singapore’s citizens enjoy visa-free access to 169 more destinations than Afghans, illustrating stark inequalities in global mobility.
Methodology
The Henley Passport Index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and incorporates factors like visa-on-arrival, visitor permits, and electronic travel authorities (ETAs) to determine rankings.
Looking Ahead
As nations adapt to shifting global dynamics, the index continues to reflect changes in diplomacy, international relations, and global mobility. While countries like Singapore and the UAE leverage these opportunities to bolster their rankings, others face challenges in maintaining or improving access.
