The World’s Most Powerful Passports for 2025

The power of a passport is undeniable. An essential companion for any international journey, it opens doors to new destinations and experiences. Yet not all passports are created equal. Some offer unrestricted access to over 190 global destinations, while others require the added hassle of securing a visa for most international destinations. The Henley Passport Index, the definitive guide to passport strength, recently unveiled its 2025 rankings, revealing the passports that unlock the greatest global entry freedoms. Check out the world’s most powerful passports below.

What Is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of countries a holder can visit visa-free. It’s considered the gold standard for assessing a passport’s global mobility (or power), based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This index compares 199 passports and 227 destinations, awarding one point for each visa-free destination.

A visa is a document issued by the destination country that allows a traveler to enter and stay for a specified amount of time. Obtaining a visa requires more legwork, with possible applications, medical screenings, interviews, and more — which is why visa-free entry to a foreign country is so desirable. Because international travel regulations fluctuate based on political and economic events, the Henley Passport Index updates its rankings monthly, providing the most up-to-date data in the industry.

These Countries Came Out on Top in 2025

While the 2024 ranking saw a six-way tie for first place, one country reigns supreme in 2025. Here’s a hint: This small island country in Southeast Asia is known for its stunning skyline and iconic landmarks, including the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Gardens by the Bay.

If you guessed Singapore, you’re correct. Singaporeans hold the world’s most powerful passport in 2025, which gives them unrestricted access to 193 destinations. Singapore is no stranger to being on top — its passport has ranked first or second each year in the Henley index since 2018.

In a tie for second place are Japan and South Korea; their passports provide visa-free access to 190 destinations. Japan recently regained its coveted visa-free entry to China, which had been suspended due to the pandemic. These passports, along with Singapore, have consistently ranked among the world’s strongest over the past decade.

Notably, there is a seven-way tie for bronze this year, and all are from the same region: the European Union. This third-place tie includes Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. Each of these countries’ passports entitle visa-free access to 189 nations. 

Other Passports To Watch

While Asian and European passports dominate the rankings, Australia ties for sixth place with the United Kingdom; both countries have access to 186 visa-free destinations.

Canada, the highest-ranking North American country, lands in seventh place with 185 visa-free entries. Its neighbor to the south, the United States, has slipped slightly in ranking since last year, falling two spots to ninth place with 183 visa-free entries. The U.S. ties with Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia in the annual passport ranking for 2025.

The United Arab Emirates has made remarkable strides in recent years, having gained access to an additional 72 destinations since 2015. It now holds the eighth spot with 184 visa-free destinations. This region is also home to the three least powerful passports of the last decade, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Afghanistan lost two more visa-free entries this year, resulting in the most significant mobility gap between the lowest and highest countries in two decades.

The Top Passports for 2025

Here are the world’s 40 most powerful passports for 2025, along with their respective visa-free entries:

1. Singapore (193)

2. Japan (190)

2. South Korea (190)

3. Denmark (189)

3. Finland (189)

3. France (189)

3. Germany (189)

3. Ireland (189)

3. Italy (189)

3. Spain (189)

4. Austria (188)

4. Belgium (188)

4. Luxembourg (188)

4. Netherlands (188)

4. Norway (188)

4. Portugal (188)

4. Sweden (188)

5. Greece (187)

5. New Zealand (187)

5. Switzerland (187)

6. Australia (186)

6. United Kingdom (186)

7. Canada (185)

7. Czechia (185)

7. Hungary (185)

7. Malta (185)

7 Poland (185)

8 Estonia (184)

8. United Arab Emirates (184)

9. Croatia (183)

9. Latvia (183)

9. Slovakia (183)

9. Slovenia (183)

9. United States (183)

10. Iceland (182)

10. Lithuania (182)

11. Liechtenstein (181)

11. Malaysia (181)

12. Cyprus (178)

12. Romania (178)

The Henley Passport Index updates rankings monthly according to the most recent data. The above list is accurate at the time of publishing.