As international travel begins to surge in a post-pandemic era, the 2025 Henley Passport Index offers a comprehensive look at global mobility — revealing which passports open the most doors and which remain the most restrictive.
🥇 Singapore Tops the World with the Most Powerful Passport
According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa, Singapore has claimed the #1 spot in 2025 with visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations. Japan, which had previously shared the top position, now holds the silver medal with 193 destinations — still ahead of most of the world after regaining visa-free access to China.
🇪🇺 European Countries Hold Strong, But Slip Slightly
European passports continue to dominate the top tiers, but several saw a slight drop in rank:
- France, Germany, Italy, and Spain now share 3rd place with 192 visa-free destinations.
- Finland and South Korea join them after losing one spot.
- Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden share 4th place with access to 191 destinations.
- Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK rank 5th with 190 destinations.
🇦🇪 UAE Breaks Into Top 10 — A Big Win for the Arab World
The United Arab Emirates now ranks 10th with visa-free access to 185 destinations, marking a historic milestone as the first Arab nation to reach the Top 10. The UAE’s climb of 32 places since 2015, gaining 72 new visa-free destinations, is one of the most dramatic rises on the index.
📉 The World’s Least Powerful Passport: Afghanistan
At the bottom of the ranking sits Afghanistan, which lost two more visa-free destinations in the past year, now with the least global mobility access. With only 26 destinations available visa-free, Afghan citizens face the largest passport power gap in the index’s 19-year history — a stark contrast to Singapore’s 195.
🇺🇸 The Fall of the American Passport
Shockingly, the United States ranks 9th in 2025, down from 2nd in 2015 — making it the second-biggest loser of the past decade after Venezuela. Similarly, the UK dropped from 1st to 5th, while Canada fell from 4th to 7th. These declines reflect broader political and policy trends.
🇨🇳 China on the Rise in Global Mobility
In contrast, China has significantly improved, moving up from 94th in 2015 to 60th in 2025, gaining access to 40 more destinations. Its openness also improved, granting visa-free entry to 58 nationalities, up from 29 just a year ago — far ahead of the US, which allows only 46.
📉 Visa Racism: African Nations Face Disproportionate Rejection
New research highlights a disturbing trend: African applicants are twice as likely to be denied a Schengen visa as applicants from other regions. Although Africa accounted for just 2.8% of global visa applications in 2023, rejection rates for African nations were disproportionately high.
Top Schengen visa rejection rates (2023):
- Comoros: 61.3%
- Guinea-Bissau: 51%
- Ghana: 47.5%
- Mali: 46.1%
- Sudan: 42.3%
- Senegal: 41.2%
Professor Mehari Taddele Maru describes this as evidence of “global mobility inequality”, rooted in economic disparity and discriminatory policies.
✈️ Key 2025 Travel Trends: Digital Travel Authorization
2025 marks a major shift toward digital border control systems. The UK is rolling out its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program, which by April 2025 will apply to most non-European travelers, including Americans and Canadians. Likewise, Europe’s long-awaited ETIAS system is expected to launch in May 2025, granting digital travel approval for short-term stays in 30 countries.
Nick Careen of IATA says, “The transition to digital travel is more than just a technological upgrade — it’s a paradigm shift that strengthens connectivity and economic growth.”
🇺🇸 Trump’s Second Term Fuels Political Uncertainty
Experts predict that Donald Trump’s second presidency, starting in early 2025, may further impact U.S. passport power and global perception. Political risk analysts warn of:
- A possible return of the “travel ban”
- Increased visa restrictions
- Deteriorating US–China trade relations
- Continued decline in global mobility for Americans
Political scholar Prof. Peter J. Spiro even calls second citizenship “political risk insurance” for Americans, especially with Trump’s unpredictable policies on immigration and foreign relations.
📈 Surge in Second Citizenship Applications
Americans are now the leading applicants for second citizenships, making up 21% of all investment migration program applications at Henley & Partners in 2024. CEO Dr. Juerg Steffen notes a growing trend of “geopolitical arbitrage,” where high-net-worth individuals seek second citizenships to optimize security, lifestyle, and financial freedom.
In 2025, over 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate — the highest number ever recorded — in search of more stable and secure jurisdictions.
🌐 About the Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is the world’s leading passport ranking system, created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin and based on exclusive IATA data. Updated quarterly, it reflects the evolving landscape of global mobility and is a trusted reference for governments and global citizens alike.
📚 About the Henley Global Mobility Report
This biannual publication explores mobility trends, geopolitical shifts, migration patterns, and visa policies, with expert commentary from leaders in international law, policy, and finance.
To read the full Henley Global Mobility Report 2025 Q1, including commentary on election cycles, migration trends, and regional mobility updates, visit Henley & Partners.
