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Journalism of Courage
Henley Global Passport Index 2025: There has been a growing trend towards increased mobility and stronger passports. More than 80 countries’ passports rise to at least 10 places in rankings, and the global average of visa-free destinations increases from 58 in 2006 to an expected 109 in 2025, as reported by the latest Henley Passport Index.
Singapore undoubtedly leads the Henley Passport Index this year, having the world’s most powerful passport with visa-free access to 193 of 227 countries.
Asian countries continue to lead the global mobility race, with Japan and South Korea tied for second place, offering their citizens visa-free access to 190 destinations.
Nonetheless, European countries occupy the top five rankings for the strongest passports, with New Zealand being the only country to challenge regional dominance, tying for fifth place with Greece and Switzerland.
The UK and US passports, which were formerly among the most powerful in the world over the last decade, are now ranked 6th and 10th, respectively, in 2025, with the US on the verge of dropping out of the top ten for the first time in the index’s two-decade history.
The UAE remains a standout among the top risers, advancing 34 places over the previous decade from 42nd to 8th position, thereby becoming the only significant climber to climb into the Top 10 in the list.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Afghanistan holds the title for the weakest passports in the world, with only being able to travel to 25 destinations without needing to obtain a visa in advance, thereby resulting in a striking mobility disparity of 168 destinations between the highest and lowest ranked passports.
| Rank | Country’s Passport | Total Visa-Free Countries |
| 1 | Singapore | 193 |
| 2 | Japan | 190 |
| 2 | South Korea | 190 |
| 3 | Denmark | 189 |
| 3 | Finland | 189 |
| 3 | France | 189 |
| 3 | Germany | 189 |
| 3 | Ireland | 189 |
| 3 | Italy | 189 |
| 3 | Spain | 189 |
| 4 | Austria | 188 |
| 4 | Belgium | 188 |
| 4 | Luxembourg | 188 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 188 |
| 4 | Norway | 188 |
| 4 | Portugal | 188 |
| 4 | Sweden | 188 |
| 5 | Greece | 187 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 187 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 187 |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 186 |
| 7 | Australia | 185 |
| 7 | Czechia | 185 |
| 7 | Hungary | 185 |
| 7 | Malta | 185 |
| 7 | Poland | 185 |
| 8 | Canada | 184 |
| 8 | Estonia | 184 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | 184 |
| 9 | Croatia | 183 |
| 9 | Latvia | 183 |
| 9 | Slovakia | 183 |
| 9 | Slovenia | 183 |
| 10 | Iceland | 182 |
| 10 | Lithuania | 182 |
| 10 | United States | 182 |
| Rank | Country’s Passport | Total Visa-Free Countries |
| 99 | Afghanistan | 25 |
| 98 | Syria | 27 |
| 97 | Iraq | 30 |
| 96 | Pakistan | 32 |
| 96 | Somalia | 32 |
| 96 | Yemen | 32 |
| 95 | Libya | 38 |
| 95 | Nepal | 38 |
| 94 | Bangladesh | 39 |
| 94 | Eritrea | 39 |
| 94 | Palestinian Territory | 39 |
| 93 | North Korea | 40 |
| 92 | Sudan | 41 |
| 91 | Sri Lanka | 42 |
Notably, India has witnessed the biggest jump in its passport rankings over the past six months. It has moved up eight positions from 85th to 77th in 2025, adding two more destinations to its list of visa-free travel, now allowing visa-free access to 59 countries.
Historically, India’s ranking reached its lowest rank at 90th in 2021, while it performed best in 2006, when it was ranked 71st.
