Washington: For the first time in two decades, the American passport has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025. The US now ranks 12th, sharing the position with Malaysia, allowing visa-free access to 180 out of 227 countries.
Singapore continues to hold the top spot, offering visa-free entry to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189.
India’s passport stands at the 77th position, marking an improvement of eight places since the first quarter of 2025. Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival (VOA) access.
Experts say several countries tightening visa rules for Americans have contributed to the decline. Brazil reintroduced visa requirements in April, while China excluded the US from its visa-free program. New restrictions in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, India, Somalia, and Vietnam have further weakened the passport’s global standing.
Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, said, “The reduction in the strength of the US passport is not just a matter of ranking. It shows that the power play in the world is changing. Countries that embrace openness are moving forward, and those who stick to old thinking are lagging behind.”
Annie Forzheimer, an expert, said that America’s increasingly strict policies are being viewed as a key reason behind the decline in the strength of its passport.
