The most powerful passports in the world in 2025

(CLO) Singapore welcomed the new year with joy when it regained the top spot in the ranking of the world's most powerful passports, according to the Henley Passport Index.

Singapore passport holders can travel to 195 out of 227 destinations in the world without a visa, ranking first globally.

After Singapore, Japan ranked second with visa-free access to 193 destinations, thanks to the restoration of visa-free entry to China after a period affected by COVID-19.

European Union member states France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland and South Korea share third place, with access to 192 destinations without a prior visa.

The world's most powerful passports in 2025 picture 1 — Illustration photo: Pexel

European countries continue to dominate the rankings in fourth place, with Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway all able to visit 191 destinations without a visa. Five other countries – Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK – are in fifth place with access to 190 destinations.

At the bottom of the rankings, Afghanistan is ranked 106th, with visa-free access to just 26 destinations. Syria and Iraq are also at the bottom, at 105th and 104th respectively, reflecting the widening disparities in freedom of movement between countries.

Countries like the UAE have made great progress, rising to 10th place with visa-free access to 185 destinations, up 72 spots from 2015. China has also improved strongly, from 94th in 2015 to 60th in 2025.

There were also some surprise drops in the rankings. The US, once in second place, has now fallen to ninth, along with Estonia. The UK has also dropped from first to fifth place over the past decade.