Countries around the world are becoming more open to each other, with citizens gaining visa-free travel to countries in other regions, strengthening ties and increasing passenger traffic. Find out which passports topped the Henley Passport Index 2025, which countries rose in the rankings and which lost ground in global mobility

In a world where mobility is becoming a key advantage, the strength of a passport increasingly determines the level of global openness, international influence and economic opportunities of a country.

The British investment migration consulting company Henley & Partners recently published new data from the Henley Passport Index expert rating, which revealed significant shifts in global mobility.

Read about the leading countries of the Henley Passport Index in 2025 and changes in the global mobility indices in this article.

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What is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa. The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest and most accurate database of travel information – and refined by the Henley & Partners research group.

The Most Powerful Passports of 2025

1st place – Singapore

Singapore holds the top spot with 193 visa-free destinations. This achievement is due to its active diplomatic policy and high level of international cooperation.

2nd, 3rd place – South Korea and Japan

Both countries provide access to 190 and 189 destinations, respectively. Their success is explained by stable international relations and a high level of economic development.

4th place – Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland

These European countries have 188 visa-free destinations each. Their high positions are due to their membership in the European Union and the Schengen zone, which facilitates unhindered movement.

5th place - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands

These countries occupy fifth place with 187 destinations, which demonstrates stable international policy and economic capacity.

6th place - Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden

With 186 visa-free destinations, these countries demonstrate an effective foreign policy and a high level of development.

7th place - Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland

These states have 185 destinations each, which indicates their active participation in international agreements and organizations.

8th place – Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE, Great Britain

With 184 visa-free destinations, these countries are actively developing diplomatic ties and economic cooperation.

9th place – Canada

With 183 destinations, Canada remains an important player on the international stage thanks to its stable policy and high standard of living.

10th place – Latvia, Liechtenstein

The countries have 182 visa-free destinations each, which indicates their active participation in international processes.

Which countries have demonstrated the maximum changes in their positions?

For the first time in two decades, the US passport has fallen out of the top ten, taking 12th place together with Malaysia. The decline is attributed to stricter US immigration policies, reduced visa reciprocity, and recent moves by countries such as Brazil, China, and Vietnam to no longer offer visa-free travel to Americans.

Currently, only 46 countries can enter the US without a visa, placing them at 77th place in the Henley Passport Index.

The British passport, which topped the Henley Passport Index in 2015, has been steadily losing ground, falling from 6th to 8th place since July, its lowest ranking on record.

While the US and UK have been on a downward trend, China has made significant progress. Over the past decade, it has risen from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, adding 37 new visa-free destinations.

The Henley Passport Index report notes Beijing’s strategic moves: visa-free agreements with Russia, new agreements with Gulf countries, South America and several European states, reflecting China’s systematic policy of expanding international openness.

The UAE is also showing rapid growth – in ten years the country has risen from 42nd to 8th place, becoming one of the leaders in terms of progress.

Least Powerful Passports in 2025

On the other side of the rankings, Afghanistan remains last at 106th, with visa-free access to just 24 destinations, down two from the start of the year. Syria is ranked 105th (26 destinations) and Iraq is ranked 104th (29 destinations).

The gap in mobility between the world’s strongest and weakest passports is thus 169 destinations.

Overall Regional Mobility Trends in 2025

- Europe: European passports continue to offer significant travel freedom, with many countries ranking highly in the index.

- Asia: Asian countries, especially East Asia, have seen significant improvements, reflecting increased diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation.

- Africa: South Africa has made significant progress, entering the top 50 for the first time in a decade, a 10% improvement since 2024.

- Americas: While Canada remains strong, the decline in the US highlights the changing dynamics of mobility in North America.

The 2025 Henley Passport Index highlights the dynamic nature of global mobility, influenced by geopolitical shifts, policy changes and international relations. As countries navigate these challenges, the strength of a passport remains an important factor in determining access to the world.

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Reminder! Germany has abolished “turbo citizenship”: it is no longer possible to obtain a German passport in three years. We have already told you what exactly has changed, how this will affect migrants and what requirements are now in force for obtaining a German passport.

Photo: Acko.com

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