The United States passport has experienced a significant decline, dropping out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time in two decades. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the US passport now ranks 12th, tied with Malaysia. This marks a considerable shift in global travel freedom, with US passport holders gaining access to 180 destinations, a decrease in overall mobility. Experts attribute this fall to America’s restrictive visa policies and a perceived decrease in its soft power on the international stage. Meanwhile, Asian nations continue to ascend in passport influence, with Singapore retaining its top spot.
Singapore leads the rankings, offering visa-free access to an impressive 193 countries. South Korea and Japan follow closely, demonstrating the growing dominance of Asia-Pacific countries in global travel privileges. European nations like Germany, Italy, and Spain also remain strong contenders within the top five.
The weakening of the US passport is partly due to a lack of visa reciprocity. For instance, Brazil revoked visa-free entry for US citizens following Washington’s refusal to grant similar privileges. China and Vietnam have also excluded the US from their new visa-free lists, and several other nations have implemented new e-visa systems, impacting American travelers’ ease of movement.
This trend highlights a growing ‘reciprocal gap.’ While the US allows visa-free entry from 46 countries, it ranks 77th in the Henley Openness Index. This restrictive approach prompts other nations to reciprocate, limiting access for Americans.
In contrast, China’s passport power has surged, climbing from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, now granting access to 76 destinations. This strategic ‘travel diplomacy,’ including recent visa-free agreements with Russia, contrasts sharply with the US’s more closed-off approach.
The decline has spurred a new trend among Americans seeking second citizenships, with a notable surge in participation in investment migration programs. This suggests a desire among US citizens to regain lost travel freedom and mobility.
For India, the passport has slipped to the 85th position in the Q1 2025 Henley Passport Index, a decrease from the previous year’s rank of 80th. The Indian passport’s lowest recorded position was 90th in 2021, with its best ranking being 71st in 2006.
