In an increasingly interconnected world, the strongest passports globally hold more value than ever before. Whether for business, tourism, or global mobility, a powerful passport can open doors by granting its holder access to numerous destinations without the hassle of a visa.
Each year, passport rankings shift based on geopolitical developments, diplomatic relations and changes in visa policies.
In 2025, several countries have emerged as leaders in global mobility, offering their citizens access to the highest number of visa-free destinations. This list, based on the Henley Passport Index, highlights the 30 strongest passports in the world today—ranked by the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa.
From Asia to Europe and beyond, these passports are more than travel documents; they’re symbols of international privilege and freedom.
The 30 strongest passports in the world in 2025
According to the Henley Passport Index, the 30 strongest passports in the world are:
1. Singapore — 193
2. Japan and South Korea — 190
3. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain — 189
4. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — 188
5. Greece, New Zealand and Switzerland — 187
6. United Kingdom — 186
7. Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta and Poland — 185
8. Canada, Estonia and the UAE — 184
9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia — 183
10. Iceland, Lithuania and the United States — 182
11. Liechtenstein and Malaysia — 181
12. Cyprus — 178
13. Bulgaria, Monaco and Romania — 177
14. Chile — 176
15. Andorra — 171
16. Argentina, Brazil and San Marino — 170
17. Hong Kong (SAR China) — 169
18. Israel — 168
19. Brunei — 164
20. Barbados — 163
21. Bahamas — 159
22. Mexico — 158
23. Uruguay — 157
24. Seychelles and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — 156
25. St. Kitts and Nevis and Vatican City — 154
26. Antigua and Barbuda — 152
27. Costa Rica and Mauritius — 149
28. Panama and Trinidad and Tobago — 148
29. Grenada and Ukraine — 147
30. Paraguay and St. Lucia — 146
How are the strongest passports in the world ranked?
The strength of a passport is determined by the number of destinations its holders can access without needing prior government approval for a visa.
The Henley Passport Index draws on official data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), supplemented with in-house research and open-source intelligence. It ranks 199 passports against 227 travel destinations, assigning a score of 1 for every destination where a passport holder can enter visa-free, obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA)—all of which do not require pre-departure approval.
Conversely, destinations that require a traditional visa or an e-Visa before departure score 0. ETAs are considered visa-free access, while e-Visas are treated as visa-required. The final score reflects the total number of destinations a passport holder can enter without a visa or with minimal border procedures.
What factors impact a passport’s strength?
The strongest passports in the world are determined by more than just the number of countries they grant access to; they are a reflection of nations’ global relationships, strategic diplomacy and openness to the world.
According to the Henley Passport Index, a passport earns points for visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, or entry through electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) without requiring prior government approval. Countries that actively negotiate visa waivers and maintain reciprocal entry agreements tend to climb the rankings, as evidenced by Singapore’s position at the top with access to 193 destinations.
Meanwhile, global mobility is increasingly shaped by shifting diplomatic strategies; the UAE, for instance, has surged into the top 10 through aggressive international outreach, while China’s growing openness has rapidly expanded visa-free access to dozens of nationalities.
Conversely, countries with restrictive or stagnant visa policies—like the U.S. and U.K.—are seeing their passport power decline. Ultimately, a passport’s strength relies on how engaged a nation is in the global mobility race, how open it is to foreign visitors and the depth of its international alliances.
Beyond visa-waiver agreements and global diplomacy, several other factors influence a passport’s strength. Countries with strong diplomatic ties and favorable foreign policies are more likely to secure visa-free arrangements through mutual agreements.
Economic relationships also play a role. Nations with solid trade partnerships often leverage these ties to negotiate better mobility terms for their citizens. Moreover, bilateral agreements specifically focused on visa-free travel can significantly boost a passport’s ranking.
Security and stability are equally important; countries with low crime rates, effective border control and political stability are generally perceived as lower-risk, which encourages other nations to offer easier entry. Similarly, strong economies and stable currencies reduce concerns over illegal immigration or visa overstays, making passport holders from these countries more welcome globally.
Global mobility landscape: Major shifts and trends
The 2025 Henley Passport Index reveals a shifting global mobility landscape marked by growing regional competition and diplomatic strategy. Singapore has the strongest passport in the world with visa-free access to 193 destinations, while Asian countries like Japan and South Korea continue to lead, reinforcing the Asia-Pacific region’s dominance.
European passports remain among the strongest, occupying most of the top 5 positions. Meanwhile, traditional powers such as the U.S. and U.K. have slipped further in the rankings, reflecting a broader decline tied to inward-looking visa policies.
In contrast, nations like the UAE and China have made significant gains by expanding diplomatic outreach and embracing visa liberalization. For instance, China has granted visa-free access to all GCC countries and several in South America.
The index also highlights increasing openness worldwide, with the global average of visa-free destinations nearly doubling over the past two decades. Over the past decade, more than 80 passports have climbed at least 10 places, and the global average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free has risen from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025.
At the other end of the global mobility spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking, with its citizens able to access just 25 destinations without a prior visa — a staggering mobility gap of 168 destinations between the top and bottom-ranked passports.
Biggest risers and fallers in 2025
This year’s index also spotlighted notable shifts in global mobility, with some countries making significant gains while others continued their downward trend. India recorded the most dramatic climb in the rankings, jumping eight places from 85th to 77th, despite only adding two new visa-free destinations, bringing its total to 59. This highlights how even modest improvements in access can lead to substantial ranking changes, especially in the mid-to-lower tiers of the index.
In terms of new access granted, Saudi Arabia’s passport emerged as the biggest gainer, securing visa-free entry to four additional destinations since January and rising four spots to rank 54th. The Kingdom’s upward movement reflects its broader efforts to open up and diversify its diplomatic and economic ties, especially within Asia and Africa.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, several countries saw their global mobility erode. Venezuela experienced the steepest drop, falling 15 places from 30th to 45th, largely due to worsening diplomatic relations and regional instability. The United States, once a dominant passport power, slipped to 10th. Similarly, Vanuatu dropped six spots, while both the United Kingdom and Canada lost ground, falling by five and four places, respectively.
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FAQs
1. What is the strongest passport in the world in 2025?
In 2025, Singapore holds the strongest passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations.
2. How is passport strength measured in the Henley Passport Index?
Passport strength is measured by the number of destinations a passport holder can enter without a prior visa.
3. Which countries have made the biggest gains in passport rankings in 2025?
India and Saudi Arabia are among the biggest movers, while the UAE has entered the top 10 after a decade of steady gains.
4. Why have the U.S. and U.K. passports dropped in the global rankings?
The U.S. and U.K.’s rankings declined due to stricter visa policies and reduced diplomatic engagement, while other nations expanded access through new agreements.
