Several passports in Asia and Europe are among the most powerful in 2025, according to the latest ranking by the Henley Passport Index.
The Henley Passport Index offers a definitive look at the world’s most powerful passports, ranking them by the number of destinations their holders can visit without securing a visa in advance. The index evaluates 199 passports and 227 destinations around the world, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index reflects travel freedom against a backdrop of rising global demand for travel and shifting mobility patterns around the world.
Here, we look at some of the passports that offer visa-free access to the highest number of destinations.
Singapore Leads the World
Topping the list is Singapore, whose passport grants access to 192 destinations without a prior visa—the highest of any passport worldwide. This places Singapore ahead of every other nation and underscores its longstanding mobility advantage rooted in robust international partnerships and global connectivity.
Other Asian and European Passports Dominate Top Ranks
In second place are South Korea and Japan, each providing access to 187 destinations. Both countries have traditionally ranked highly, reflecting their strong diplomatic ties and widespread visa-waiver agreements.
Third place is shared by Sweden and the United Arab Emirates, with 186 destinations each. Their ties highlight the growing strength of European mobility and the accelerating rise of the UAE as a global travel hub.
A large group of European nations holds the fourth-place ranking, with Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland each offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 destinations. This broad grouping demonstrates Europe’s consistent leadership in global mobility, bolstered by decades of multilateral cooperation.
While the U.S. remains in the top 10, it ranks behind several European and Asia-Pacific countries, reflecting a relative decline in mobility compared with previous years.
The Rise of Air Travel Demand
The newest passport rankings come at a time when global travel continues to rebound significantly. According to a January report from IATA, total full‑year passenger demand for air travel in 2025 increased by 5.3 percent compared with 2024, while overall capacity rose 5.2 percent. The passenger load factor—a measure of filled seats on flights—reached 83.6 percent, the highest full-year figure ever recorded.
International travel demand grew even more quickly, rising 7.1 percent over the previous year, with international capacity up 6.8 percent. The international load factor hit 83.5 percent, which was also a record, according to the IATA. These trends underscore a growing global appetite for cross-border mobility—and the practical advantages held by citizens of countries with top-ranking passports.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports
1: Singapore (visa-free access to 192 destinations)
2: South Korea and Japan (187 destinations)
3: Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (186 destinations)
4: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland (185 destinations)
5: Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal (184 destinations)
6: Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia (183 destinations)
7: Australia, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, United Kingdom (182 destinations)
8: Canada, Liechtenstein, Lithuania (181 destinations)
9: Iceland (180 destinations)
10: United States (179 destinations)
Source: The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Do you have a travel-related story to share? Let us know via [email protected], and your story could be featured on Newsweek.