This is the lowest position the U.S passport has held in the 20-year history of the index, which tracks global freedom of movement for holders of passports from 199 to 227 countries and territories worldwide.
As the year’s second half begins, Singapore continues to hold on to the number one spot on the list as the most powerful passport in 2025(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The once all-powerful United States passport has been slipping in recent years, and there are fears it could fall out of the top ten most powerful passports in the world.
In the latest quarterly update of the Henley Passport Index, created by the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, the U.S. passport, which was ranked number one in 2014, has fallen all the way to 10th on the list.
That is the lowest position the U.S passport has held in the 20-year history of the index, which tracks global freedom of movement for holders of passports from 199 to 227 countries and territories worldwide. The index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and because Henley counts several countries with the same score as a single spot in its standings, 33 countries outrank the U.S. on the list.
READ MORE: Donald Trump’s ‘swollen ankles’ spark fresh health fears as president crammed into shoesREAD MORE: Woman caught at Coldplay concert with Astronomer CEO once bragged ‘I win trust of CEOs’
The index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)(Image: FG Trade/E+/Getty Images)
As the year’s second half begins, Singapore continues to hold on to the number one spot on the list as the most powerful passport in 2025.
Holders of that passport have visa-free access to 193 out of 227 countries worldwide, more than citizens of any other country.
Naturally, Singapore isn’t in the habit of giving out passports to foreign nationals, as becoming a citizen of the country requires at least two years of permanent residency, a review of “economic contributions” and other qualifications, and compulsory national service for male applicants.
South Korea has risen to the list to join Japan at number two, with an open door to 190 destinations. The EU member states of Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain are all at No.3 behind them in the third spot, along with Finland, with access to 189 destinations with no prior visa needed.
Greece, Switzerland, and New Zealand come in fifth place, all of which have visa-free access to 187 destinations.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, at number. 99, Afghanistan remains bottomless, with visa-free access to just 25 destinations.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, at number. 99, Afghanistan remains bottomless, with visa-free access to just 25 destinations.(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The U.S, isn’t likely to regain its dominance in the passport rankings anytime soon, as President Donald Trump in his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has added a $250 “visa integrity fee” for tourists traveling to the U.S. added to existing visa application costs. The fee will apply to all visitors required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.
Sign up to our FREE newsletter and get the top stories to your inbox
DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.