Henley Passport Index announced its Latest Report on Most Powerful Passports on Global Passport Rankings 2025.
Most Powerful Passports on Global Passport Rankings 2025 reviews the options for easiest access of mobility around the world.
In contemporary times, our passports are becoming a symbol of success or achievement as well. It ensures several factors such as individual rights, legal protections and economic strengths. Several countries have introduced Citizenship by Investment Programs to attract global High Net Worth Individuals. One of the key preference of a passport is the ability to travel across the world.
Therefore, Henley Passport Index announces its list of most powerful and under stress passports in the world every year. The list reviews exclusive data from International Air Transport Association (IATA). It reviews the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
The Henley Passport Index reviews 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations. If no visa is required, then a score with value = 1 is created for that passport. The same applies if you can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA), a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) when entering the destination. Where a visa is required, or where a passport holder has to obtain a government-approved electronic visa (e-Visa) before departure, a score with value = 0 is assigned. This also applies if you need pre-departure government approval for a visa on arrival.
On its basis, the index defines the strength of each passport. Since last few years, the index has largely seen similar results as the top contenders just remain intact to their position. However, in some cases, the countries with troubling economy saw themselves with points coming down. Similarly, the stable GCC countries such as United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also seen a raise in their ranking. Lastly, countries like Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Palestine remain sticking to their positions at the bottom of the index.
Most Powerful Passports on Global Passport Rankings 2025
For 2025, most powerful passport ranking sticks to Singapore. Its citizens have direct access of entry at 195 destinations around the world. With access to 193 countries, Japan takes the second place on rankings. Additionally, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, South Korea take the third position with access to 192 countries. Ranking on the fourth number are Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway with access to 191 countries. On the fifth number, Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom appear with access to 190 countries.
Interestingly, United States is a global super power. Yet, it ranks at the ninth number and its passport holders have direct access to 186 destinations in the world. The citizens of Russian Federation and Turkiye can travel visa free to 116 countries only.
On the bottom side, Bangladesh, Libya and Palestinian Territory has a rank of 100 in the global index. They have visa free access to 40 countries in the world.
The last country on the index is Afghanistan with a rank of 106. It has direct visa free access to 26 countries in the world. Moreover, Syria stands at 105, Iraq stands at 104, Yemen and Pakistan stand at 103, Somalia stands at 102 and Nepal stands at 101 in the global ranking.
