US Passport Drops to 12th in Global Passport Power Rankings
The United States has slid out of the top-ten list in the world’s most powerful passport rankings, according to the 25th edition of the Henley Passport Index, which evaluates global travel freedom based on visa-free access. The US passport, which once ranked first in 2014, now ranks 12th, tied with Malaysia, marking a significant decline from its seventh-place position a year ago. The drop is attributed to several factors, including the loss of visa-free access to key countries and policy changes impacting international mobility.
Henley & Partners, a London-based citizenship and residency consultancy, has compiled the rankings for 20 years using International Air Transport Association data. The US passport, which topped the list in 2014 and ranked seventh last year, has now dropped to 12th, tied with Malaysia. The firm attributes the decline to lost visa-free access to Brazil and China due to reciprocity issues with the US, as well as policy changes in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Somalia. Henley also noted that while Americans can visit 180 of 227 destinations visa-free, the US grants the same privilege to only 46 countries, highlighting its relatively limited visa openness.
Henley said the decline stems from lost visa-free access to Brazil and China over reciprocity issues with the US, as well as policy changes in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Somalia. The firm also cited low visa openness, noting that while Americans can visit 180 of 227 destinations visa-free, the US grants the same privilege to only 46 countries. This contrast underscores a growing trend where countries with more open travel policies are outperforming those with restrictive measures.
“The declining strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in rankings – it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics,” said the firm’s chairman Christian H. Kaelin. “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”
Henley also linked the drop to US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which began with illegal migration and drug trafficking but expanded to stricter rules for tourists, foreign workers, and students. The firm cited the recent visa restrictions for travelers from 19 countries and threats to ban up to 36 more as key factors in the decline. Dr. Tim Klatte, partner at Grant Thornton China, added "Trump’s return to power has brought fresh trade conflicts that weaken America’s mobility".
Three Asian countries lead the index: Singapore with 193 visa-free destinations, South Korea with 190, and Japan with 189. Accounting for tied scores, 36 nations outrank the US, including all EU members, the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and the UAE. Russia ranks 50th with 114 visa-free destinations.
While the US passport’s decline highlights challenges in maintaining global travel privileges, it also underscores broader geopolitical and policy shifts that have impacted international relations and mobility, with implications for diplomacy and economic engagement.