Global Passport Power Shifts in 2025: Cyprus’ Standing and the US Decline in the Henley Index

Significant changes have emerged in the latest update of the Henley Passport Index for 2025, which evaluates 199 passports based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, ranking them according to the number of destinations accessible without a visa.

According to the most recent figures, the United States passport, once a dominant force in global mobility and a fixture among the top ranks for two decades, has now fallen to 12th place. Meanwhile, the Greek passport continues to perform strongly, securing 6th place and granting its holders visa-free access to 186 countries.

The updated Index reaffirms the continued dominance of Asian nations. Singapore retains its top position, allowing entry to 193 destinations without a visa, followed by South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189.

Across Europe, the picture is more varied. The United Kingdom has dropped to 8th place, compared to its standing in the July review. In contrast, European countries such as Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland have all maintained high rankings, each offering visa-free travel to 188 destinations.

For the United States, the decline marks a cumulative drop in recent years. In 2024, the U.S. passport ranked 7th, slipped to 10th in July, and now, by October 2025, sits outside the top ten. American passport holders currently enjoy visa-free access to 180 destinations, but analysts point to U.S. domestic policies as contributing factors in the slide. Washington now permits visa-free entry from only 46 countries and has introduced restrictive measures such as “visa bond” requirements ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for applicants from seven African nations.

As Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Index, explained, “The reducing strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in the rankings – it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics.”

In Africa, the strongest performer remains the Seychelles, holding 26th place with visa-free access to 155 destinations. It is followed by Mauritius, now ranked 29th with 148 destinations, and South Africa, in 53rd with access to 102. Other African nations such as Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, eSwatini, Morocco, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, and Ghana follow further down the list. At the lower end, Nigeria is among the ten weakest passports globally, sitting in 96th place alongside Ethiopia, Lebanon, and Myanmar, each providing visa-free entry to just 44 countries. The world’s weakest passports, meanwhile, remain concentrated in parts of Asia, with Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria occupying the bottom positions.

For 2025, the Top-10 of the Henley Passport Index paints the following picture based on visa-free destinations:

• 1st place: Singapore (193)

• 2nd: South Korea (190)

• 3rd: Japan (189)

• 4th: Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland (188)

• 5th: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands (187)

• 6th: Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (186)

• 7th: Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland (185)

• 8th: Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE, United Kingdom (184)

• 9th: Canada (183)

• 10th: Latvia, Liechtenstein (182)

Meanwhile, Cyprus holds 14th place, granting visa-free travel to 178 destinations.

The 2025 rankings underscore a broader shift in global mobility power. Asian nations continue to expand their influence, Europe maintains a stable cluster of high-performing countries, and stark regional disparities — particularly across Africa and parts of Asia — remain evident. For Greece, its continued presence among the top six reaffirms its strong passport power and enduring reputation for extensive travel freedom for its citizens. 

By fLEXI tEAM