US passport loses value, knocked out of top 10 list; number one rank goes to…, India, China, Pakistan…
The US passport has dropped out of the world's top 10 most powerful passports for the first time in 20 years.
New Delhi: The US passport no longer possesses the power that once made it a hot topic. Simply put, the US passport has suffered a significant setback globally. According to the latest data from the Henley Passport Index, the US passport has dropped out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time in 20 years. The passport, which held the top spot in 2014, has now slipped to 12th, equaling Malaysia. Experts attribute this to a weakening of America’s global soft power. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific countries have regained their lead in passport power.
Singapore and South Korea dominate
According to the Henley Passport Index, Singapore has now become the world’s strongest passport, allowing visa-free travel to 193 countries. South Korea (190) is in second place, and Japan (189) is in third. European giants like Germany, Italy, and Spain have also made it into the top five. Meanwhile, the United States’ two-place drop to 12th represents a significant shift in the global travel freedom rankings.
Response to Trump’s policies?
According to data, American citizens enjoy visa-free entry to 180 countries, but the United States itself allows visa-free entry to people from only 46 countries. The United States remains stuck at 77th place in the Henley Openness Index. This clearly means that the more the United States closes itself off, the more other countries are tightening their doors to its citizens. This situation is creating the largest “reciprocity gap” in the world after Australia.
China leads in Passport Race
While the United States’ rankings are slipping, China is rapidly advancing in passport power. China, which was ranked 94th in 2015, reached 64th by 2025. Over the past 10 years, China has gained visa-free access to 37 new countries. It now offers visa-free travel to 76 countries, a full 30 more than the US’s 46. The recent addition of Russia to this list clearly demonstrates Beijing’s deft handling of its “travel diplomacy,” while Washington appears to be lagging in its open policy.
India(BHARAT)’s position
As per the latest list, India(BHARAT) ranks 77th in the Henley Passport Index 2025. It is a significant improvement from its 85th position in 2024. This has become possible because India(BHARAT)n passport holders now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations worldwide. This climb reflects the country’s enhanced global mobility and improved diplomatic relations.
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