Latest Statistics Show American Passport Has Fallen Out of the Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World for the First Time in 20 Years
According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the American passport has, for the first time in 20 years, dropped out of the top 10 most powerful passports in the world. This index ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without a visa or with a visa on arrival.
In 2014, the American passport dominated the global ranking and was considered the most powerful in terms of access to international destinations. However, in 2025, it has fallen to 12th place, tied with Malaysia, allowing its holders to enter 180 countries without a visa.
East Asian countries have dominated the new ranking: Singapore has taken the top spot with access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea with 190 countries, and Japan with 189 countries. Germany, Luxembourg, and Italy are tied for fourth place.
Experts attribute the rapid decline of the American passport's ranking to several factors, including the United States' strict policies in recent years, particularly under the administration of President Donald Trump, which has taken a more closed approach to immigration and travel.
Christian Kaelin, President of Henley & Partners, stated: "The decline of the American passport's power over the last decade is more than just a simple change in ranking; it signals a fundamental shift in the dynamics of global mobility and soft power... Countries that adopt openness and cooperation are progressing rapidly, while those that rely on past privileges are falling behind."
Similarly, Annie Pforzheimer, a senior researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, stated that American policy had become "isolationist" even before Trump's second term, adding that this isolationist mindset is now reflected in the loss of power of the American passport.
The decline of the American passport's ranking is a significant shift in the global mobility landscape, with implications for travel, trade, and diplomacy. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the power of a country's passport can have a significant impact on its citizens' ability to engage with the global community.
