US passport falls from world's most powerful number 1 to top

From number 1 position, after 10 years, the US passport is falling out of the most powerful group in the world.

In the latest quarterly update of the Henley Passport Index, compiled by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, the US — which held the top spot in 2014 — has dropped to 10th place. However, because Henley counts multiple countries with the same score into one position in the ranking, there are actually 33 countries that rank higher than the US passport on the list, according to CNN.

This is the lowest ranking the United States has ever had in the 20-year history of the index, which tracks the global travel freedom of 199 passports to 227 countries and territories around the world , using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). US passport holders have visa-free access to 182 countries and territories.

PHOTO: GETTY

Entering the second half of the year, Singapore retained its No. 1 spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2025. Holders of this most coveted passport enjoy visa-free access to 193 out of 227 destinations worldwide, more than citizens of anywhere else on the planet.

Of course, Singapore does not issue passports to foreign citizens easily. Applying for Singapore citizenship requires at least two years of permanent residence, consideration of “economic contribution” and other conditions, including mandatory military service for men.

South Korea rose to second place, tied with Japan in the rankings, with access to 190 destinations, ensuring Asian countries maintain a solid lead in the global mobility race.

EU member states Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain, Finland are in the same third tier with visa-free access to 189 destinations.

On the other hand, Afghanistan, ranked 99th, remains at the bottom of the list with only 25 visa-free destinations, one less than at the beginning of the year. Syria is ranked 98th (with 27 destinations) and Iraq is ranked 97th (with 30 destinations).

Meanwhile, China rose from 94th to 60th place since 2015, a rise achieved even without visa-free access to the 29 countries in Europe's Schengen area.

According to the latest rankings, Vietnam ranks 84th globally, up 3 places compared to 2024. Vietnamese citizens can now enter 51 destinations without a visa or just need to apply for an e-visa…

US passport is powerful after 33 countries:

1.Singapore (193 visa-free 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. England (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, USA (182)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ho-chieu-us-tu-so-1-quyen-luc-nhat-the-gioi-roi-khoi-nhom-dan-dau-185250723113656826.htm