For the first time in two decades, the United States passport has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful.
The Henley Passport Index 2025, compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranked the US document in 12th place, tied with Malaysia, with visa-free access to just 180 of the world’s 227 global destinations.
The contrast is striking: in 2014, the US passport held the top spot in the ranking, a symbol of its global influence and mobility power. Today, that leadership has faded as Asia solidifies its dominance.
The new global top 10 passports
The latest ranking places Singapore at the top with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). The leading group also includes Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other European countries, while the United Kingdom drops to eighth place, its lowest position since the index began publishing 20 years ago.
In contrast, the US ranks 12th, tied with Malaysia, and below Canada, Croatia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Why did the US passport fall?
The drop stems from a series of adjustments that, while seemingly minor, have had significant effects on global mobility. Among the most decisive factors are:
* Brazil withdrew visa-free access for US citizens in April due to lack of reciprocity.
– China expanded its list of visa-exempt countries but excluded the US.
* Papua New Guinea and Myanmar modified their entry policies, affecting the US score.
– Somalia introduced a new electronic visa system that does not include US travelers.
* Vietnam also opted to exclude the US from its visa-exemption list.
These adjustments caused the country to lose two positions in just one year, falling from 10th to 12th place.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, explained that “the decline of the US passport is not just a shift in the rankings; it reflects a profound change in the dynamics of soft power and global openness. Nations that bet on cooperation are moving forward, while those that rely on past prestige are falling behind.”
The US, increasingly less open
While Americans can enter 180 destinations without a visa, the country only allows visa-free access to citizens of 46 nations, placing it 77th on the Henley Openness Index, which measures each country’s openness to the rest of the world.
This gap between “freedom to travel” and “hospitality toward others” is one of the largest globally, surpassed only by Australia. Analysts say this lack of reciprocity has taken its toll.
“Even before a potential second Trump term, US foreign policy was already showing a shift toward isolation,” noted Annie Pforzheimer, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “That more closed mindset is now reflected in the country’s loss of influence and the decline of its passport.”
The Trump effect and the cost of travel
During the current administration, Washington has tightened requirements for travelers from dozens of countries, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Measures include:
* Suspension of visas for 12 nations and additional restrictions for 7 others.
– Mandatory bonds of $5,000 to $15,000 for travelers from 7 African countries (refundable only upon departure).
* A proposal to impose a $250 “visa integrity fee” on most non-immigrant applications.
– An increase in the ESTA system fee, which rose from $21 to $40 in September 2025.
These changes not only reduce international reciprocity but also make travel more expensive for millions.
China gains ground
While the US loses strength, China has climbed the rankings at a surprising pace. Over the past decade, it has risen from 94th to 64th on the Henley Passport Index, adding 37 new visa-free destinations. It has also signed agreements with Russia, several Gulf countries, South America, and Europe, and in the last year alone, it has granted visa-free access to 30 additional nations.
“Trump has reignited trade tensions that restrict US mobility, while China leverages its openness to strengthen its global influence,” explained Dr. Tim Klatte, a partner at Grant Thornton China.
Interest in second citizenship grows
The weakening of the US passport has fueled a trend that was marginal just a few years ago: the search for second residencies or citizenship by investment.
According to Henley & Partners data, Americans are now the largest group of applicants for these programs. Applications in 2025 are already 67% higher than in all of 2024, a year that had also seen a 60% jump from the previous year.
“Faced with political and economic volatility, wealthy families are diversifying their citizenship as part of a financial strategy,” explains Dominic Volek, global head of private clients at the firm.
A phenomenon once reserved for global entrepreneurs is now becoming normalized among the US upper class. Temple University Law School professor Peter J. Spiro sums it up: “Dual citizenship is the new American dream.”
A symbol in decline
Beyond the numbers, the loss of power of the US passport reflects a profound cultural shift: the country that once represented the ultimate freedom of movement now faces restrictions that previously affected others.
While the rest of the world pushes for agreements to open borders, the US appears to be turning inward. In a world where mobility equals power, that shift could shape not only the future of its passport but also its global influence.
Image: DiarioNY
