For the first time, US drops from top 10 passports; UK falls to lowest-ever rank, tied with Malaysia
Pakistani passport has fallen several places in the latest Henley Passport Index, now ranking 103rd globally, tied with Yemen. It now has visa-free access to only 31 countries, a sharp decline from its previous ranking of 96th, when 32 countries granted visa-free access to Pakistani passport holders.
The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports, based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa, showed that Pakistan’s position has deteriorated amid rising regional competition.
Iraq stands at 104th position with access to 29 destinations, Syria 105th with 26 destinations, and Afghanistan 106th with access to 24 destinations, all sit below Pakistan now in the global rankings.
This drop places Pakistan among the least powerful passports in the world, with fewer countries offering visa-free access. The index highlights a growing disparity between the South Asian nation and more globally connected nations.
Indian passport slips to 85th position
The Indian passport has also fallen several places in the latest Henley Passport Index rankings, dropping to 85th position, tied with Mauritania. The passport now has visa-free access to only 57 countries, a sharp decline from the 77th spot it held earlier this year, when it had visa-free access to 59 countries.
This decline reflects a shift in global mobility dynamics, with India now trailing behind several countries in terms of travel freedom. The Indian passport’s fall in the ranking highlights ongoing challenges in securing greater international access, despite the country’s growing global influence.
Singapore tops in global ranking
Singapore has retained its position as the world’s strongest passport, with visa-free access to 193 countries, according to the latest Henley Passport Index rankings. South Korea and Japan follow closely behind, with visa-free access to 190 and 189 countries respectively.
Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland occupy the fourth spot, with access to 188 destinations. These European countries remain competitive, reflecting strong diplomatic and global relations.
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands in the top five, each enjoys visa-free access to 187 destinations. The rankings underscore the growing influence of Asia in global mobility, with Singapore’s passport securing the top position for the fourth consecutive year.
UK, US fall to historic low
For the first time since the Henley Passport Index was created two decades ago, the United States has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports. Once ranked No 1 in 2014, the US passport now holds the 12th position, tied with Malaysia, with visa-free access to only 180 out of 227 countries.
The UK passport, similarly, has dropped to its lowest-ever rank, falling from 6th to 8th place since July. Like the US, the UK once held the top spot in the index, achieving first place in 2015.
“The decline of the US passport and its most recent drop from 10th to 12th position has been driven by a series of access changes,” said Henley & Partners. “The loss of visa-free access to Brazil in April, due to a lack of reciprocity, and the US being excluded from China’s expanding visa-free list, were the key factors behind its downward slide.”
The report continued, “Adjustments from Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, as well as Somalia’s new eVisa system and Vietnam’s exclusion of the US from its latest visa-free list, contributed to the final blow, pushing the US out of the top 10.”
China rises in global passport ranking
China has been one of the biggest climbers in the iIndex over the past decade, jumping from 94th place in 2015 to 64th in 2025. This surge reflects a significant improvement in the country’s visa-free access, which has increased by 37 destinations during this period.
“Recent developments, including granting visa-free access to Russia, underscore Beijing’s ongoing strategy of increased openness,” Henley & Partners said in their report. “China’s moves — alongside new agreements with the Gulf states, South America, and several European countries — are cementing its role as a global mobility powerhouse, bolstering the Asia-Pacific region’s dominance in travel freedom.”
This rise underscores China’s growing diplomatic influence and its strategic efforts to enhance its citizens’ travel freedom. The country’s increasing connectivity is strengthening its position in global mobility, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region.
