American Passport Power Declines, Falls To 10th In Global Ranking

The American passport has experienced a decline in global travel power, dropping to 10th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. This marks a continued downward trajectory from its previous top-ranking position just a decade ago.

U.S. passport holders can now access 182 destinations without requiring a visa, which is four fewer countries than last year, when America ranked eighth globally. What’s particularly concerning for American travelers is that the U.S. is “on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index’s 20-year history,” according to a statement from Henley & Partners.

This decline reflects broader shifts in global mobility patterns and changing international relationships that directly impact the freedom of movement for American travelers. The U.S. and the United Kingdom jointly held the coveted number one position back in 2014, but both nations have since slipped considerably in the rankings.

Why The American Passport Is Losing Ground

The main factor behind America’s passport power decline is a lack of reciprocity. While U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free access to 182 destinations, America itself only allows visitors from 46 other countries to enter without visas. This places the U.S. at 80th place on Henley’s Openness Index, barely outranking Iraq. According to CBS News, Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, said, “Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships.”

Singapore now claims the world’s most powerful passport, offering its citizens visa-free access to 193 destinations worldwide. This gives Singaporeans access to 11 more countries than Americans can visit without visas. Japan and South Korea tie for second place with access to 190 countries, while several European nations dominate the remaining top positions.

While the U.S. continues its decade-long slide, several nations have improved their global mobility. The United Arab Emirates has jumped 34 places in the last decade, rising from 42nd to 8th place. China has made equally impressive gains, climbing from 94th to 60th position since 2015, despite not yet gaining visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area. China has also increased its openness, now granting visa-free access to travelers from 75 countries compared to fewer than 20 just five years ago.

What This Means For American Travelers

For U.S. citizens planning international travel, this downgrade means potentially facing more visa requirements and travel restrictions than holders of higher-ranked passports. American travelers should check entry requirements before their trips using the U.S. State Department’s “Learn About Your Destination” tool.

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