U.S. Passport Drops Out of World’s Top 10 Most Powerful Passports for First Time
Washington D.C. | 19 October 2025 — In a historic shift, the U.S. passport has dropped out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time, according to the latest rankings issued by the Henley & Partners Passport Index.
This marks a significant decline in the global travel power of the United States, which for decades consistently ranked among the world’s most influential passports.
A Historic Drop
The U.S. passport now ranks 11th globally, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations — a figure that has remained stagnant while other nations have expanded their travel agreements.
In contrast, top-ranking passports from countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Germany provide access to more than 190 destinations, strengthening their global mobility advantage.
“The U.S. passport is still strong, but the rest of the world has moved ahead,” said a Henley & Partners spokesperson. “This reflects changing diplomatic priorities and the growing influence of Asian and European nations.”
Current Top 5 Most Powerful Passports (2025)
Japan — 194 destinations
Singapore — 193 destinationsGermany — 192 destinations
Spain — 192 destinations
Italy — 191 destinations
Other countries rounding out the top 10 include France, South Korea, and several EU nations.
The U.S. is now positioned just below them, marking the first time it has fallen outside the top 10 since the index began.
Why the Ranking Dropped
Experts attribute the decline to:
Limited new bilateral visa agreements in recent years.
Tighter global security protocols affecting U.S. travelers.Rising diplomatic competition from Asian and EU countries.
Shifting global mobility trends and travel policy reforms.
While many nations have expanded their visa-free travel agreements, U.S. mobility has plateaued — causing its relative position to slip.
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Impact on American Travelers
Although the U.S. passport remains one of the most widely accepted travel documents in the world, its declining rank may mean:
Fewer visa-free destinations in comparison to other leading passports.
More paperwork and pre-travel requirements for certain regions.
Reduced travel competitiveness for business travelers.
