Singapore has once again claimed the top spot in the Henley Passport Index, allowing its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations. This year’s ranking breaks the six-way tie that had seen Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France sharing the number-one position in 2024.
Hot on Singapore’s heels are Japan and South Korea, tied for second place, followed by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain in a five-way tie for third. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden round out the top five tiers before Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
The United States passport slipped from ninth to tenth place, marking a continued “long-term downward trend” that could see the U.S. exit the top ten for the first time in the index’s 20-year history. The United Kingdom also fell one rung, to sixth.
Notably, India was the biggest climber in the past six months, rising eight places to 77th, while over the past decade the UAE vaulted 34 spots into the top ten—making it the only major mover to break into that elite group. China also improved by 34 positions, an impressive feat given its lack of visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
At the bottom of the index remains Afghanistan, whose passport grants visa-free entry to just 25 countries. The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association, measures only travel freedom, distinguishing it from other indices that consider factors like taxation or global mobility.
