The US passport is now tied for 10th place with Iceland and Lithuania, according to the Henley Passport Index (HPI), an annual ranking by London-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners. This is the lowest ranking for the US passport in the index’s 20-year history. Since the HPI's inception in 2006, the US passport held the top spot twice (2006 and 2014) before gradually declining. In 2024, it ranked 7th.
US citizens currently enjoy visa-free access to 182 destinations, while citizens of Singapore, which holds the number one spot, can travel visa-free to 193 destinations.
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US passport. Photo: ABC News |
US passport. Photo: ABC News
While the US passport’s drop in ranking doesn't immediately change entry regulations, it signals a decrease in travel freedom for US citizens, coinciding with a surge in global travel demand post-pandemic.
Henley & Partners observes that countries like the US and the UK are implementing stricter entry policies, contributing to their declining rankings. Indeed, the US passport has steadily fallen since 2014, when it held the top spot.
Critics warn that the US policy of increasing visa fees by a minimum of 250 USD from 1/10/2024 to 30/9/2025 could negatively impact reciprocal agreements.
According to USA Today, the primary reason for the US passport's decline is attributed to shifts in foreign policy and stricter immigration controls. Meanwhile, a growing number of US citizens are seeking second passports to enhance international mobility and legal security.
Americans currently lead the world in seeking alternative residency and citizenship, with UK citizens also among the top 5 nationalities with this demand, according to Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners.
"A passport is no longer just a travel document; it reflects a nation’s diplomatic influence and international relations," Steffen said.
Besides its lower ranking in destination access, the US also scores poorly on the "openness" index, with only 46 countries allowed visa-free entry to the US, a relatively low figure compared to other developed nations, according to Henley & Partners.
A US State Department spokesperson, in an interview with CBS News, stated that international passport rankings can vary due to different methodologies. However, the government's priority remains ensuring safe, efficient, and reciprocal travel for both US citizens and international visitors.
US entry criteria are based on factors like national security, public safety, and legal regulations. The State Department representative affirmed confidence in the "strength and global influence" of the US passport.
The 2025 list of the world's most powerful passports, ranked by visa-free access, is as follows::1. Singapore (193 destinations)2. South Korea, Japan (190 destinations)3. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain (189 destinations)4. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (188 destinations)5. New Zealand, Greece, Switzerland (187 destinations)6. UK (186 destinations)7. Australia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185 destinations)8. Canada, Estonia (184 destinations)9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183 destinations)10. Lithuania, US, Iceland (182 destinations)
Anh Minh (USA Today, Henley & Partners, CBS News)
