The most powerful passport in the world in 2025

In the latest quarterly update of the Henley Passport Index conducted by London-based private company Henley & Partners, Vietnam ranked 84th globally, up 7 places compared to the first quarter announcement (91st) and 3 places compared to 2024.

This is considered one of Vietnam's strongest rankings in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index.

Meanwhile, entering the second half of the year, Singapore still firmly holds the world's number 1 position for the most powerful passport in 2025.

Holders of the world's most powerful passport from Singapore enjoy visa-free access to 193 of 227 destinations worldwide, more than citizens of anywhere else on the planet.

Of course, Singapore doesn't grant passports to foreign citizens as easily as people think. Applying for Singapore citizenship requires at least two years of permanent residency, consideration of " economic contribution" and other conditions, along with mandatory national service for men.

Next is South Korea, which has risen to second place, alongside Japan in the rankings. Holders of this passport have the opportunity to travel to 190 destinations.

EU member states Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain all ranked third, with access to 189 destinations without a prior visa.

Europe also dominates the ranking, with seven countries: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, all of which offer visa-free access to 188 destinations.

Fifth place goes to Greece, Switzerland and New Zealand, all of which offer visa-free access to 187 destinations.

The United States, which held the top spot in 2014, has now dropped to 10th place in the third quarter of this year, its lowest position ever.

The index tracks the global freedom of travel of 199 passport holders to 227 countries and territories around the world, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Travel distance

At number 99 on the list, Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with just 25 visa-free destinations, one fewer than at the start of the year. Syria is at number 98 (with 27 destinations) and Iraq is at number 97 (with 30 destinations).

That's a significant travel distance, with access to up to 168 destinations, between the highest and lowest ranked passports.

The UK has dropped one place to sixth in the rankings, with visa-free access to 186 destinations. Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta and Poland are tied for seventh, while Canada, Estonia and the United Arab Emirates are eighth.

Notably, the UAE is one of the biggest success stories in the rankings, rising 34 places over the past decade to 8th place from 42nd . Meanwhile, China has also risen to 60th place from 94th since 2015.

'Proactive and strategic diplomacy '

9th place goes to Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia, while 10th place goes to Iceland, Lithuania and the US. The US currently has visa-free access to 182 destinations around the world.

Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley and Partners, said the latest Henley Passport Index reflects the increasingly competitive landscape in the global mobility sector.

“The ranking of the world’s most powerful passports shows us that access must be achieved through proactive and strategic diplomacy. Countries that actively negotiate visa-free travel and strengthen agreements are able to move up the rankings, while those that are less involved in these efforts do the opposite,” added Mr. H. Kaelin.

Henley & Partners' list is one of several indices created by financial firms to rank global passport power based on the access it provides to citizens.

Below is the list of countries with the most powerful passports in 2025 voted by Henley & Partners:

1. Singapore (193 destinations)

2. Japan, Korea (190)

3. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain (189)

4. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (188)

5. Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland (187)

6. United Kingdom (186)

7. Australia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185)

8. Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates (184)

9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183)

10. Iceland, Lithuania, United States (182).

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/cuon-ho-chieu-quyen-luc-nhat-the-gioi-nam-2025-155327.html