This year, American passport holders can enter 186 countries and territories without a visa. For Singapore it’s 195
A
United States
According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, which was first released 19 years ago, passports have become less valuable than they once were.
Based on the number of visa-free travel options available across 227 different destinations, this ranking includes 199 passports. The U.S. passport now holds the ninth position, having dropped from first place since 2014.
This year, it enables U.S. travelers to visit 186 countries and territories worldwide without needing a visa. The list does not include several locations as follows:
Nigeria
,
India
and
Russia
.
Are you curious about the most significant issues and global trends? Find out here with
SCMP Knowledge
Our latest platform features handpicked content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our esteemed team of experts.
Based on information supplied by the International Air Transport Association and refined with additional internal research and public online sources, London-based consultancy firm Henley & Partners compiled the list.
Singapore
for the second consecutive year, it stands as the globe’s strongest passport. This status grants entry to 195 different locations worldwide.
In second place stood the Japanese passport, boasting a visa-free travel score of 193. Sharing the third position were six nations:
Finland
,
France
,
Germany
,
Italy
,
South Korea
, and
Spain
.
The
United Arab Emirates
It was the sole Middle Eastern nation to secure a spot within the top 10. Since 2010, it has climbed a total of 55 positions in the ranking.
A powerful passport offers greater liberty when traveling, as it often eliminates the requirement to obtain a visa beforehand.
Nepal
,
Somalia
,
Pakistan
,
Yemen
,
Iraq
,
Syria
and
Afghanistan
placed last in the index. In comparison, a Singaporean passport grants visa-free entry to 195 nations and territories, whereas an Afghan passport only provides visa-free travel to 26 countries.
The article was initially published by
Business Insider
More Articles from SCMP
China pledges comprehensive actions on trade and foreign direct investment as part of new moves to jumpstart the economy.
The Sprint Cup is scheduled for Lucky Sweynesse’s comeback as Keagan de Melo makes his breakthrough.
CES 2025: Leading Chinese Companies Display Advanced AI Robots, Electric Vehicles, and Smart Glasses
Chinese researchers aspire for breakthroughs with cutting-edge laser technology, aiming to unlock pathways to novel findings.
The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.
Copyright © 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.