Singapore has emerged as the world’s most powerful passport in 2025, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 out of 227 countries, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The report, compiled by Henley & Partners, assessed 199 passports based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Top Ranked Passports
Following Singapore, South Korea and Japan secured the second position, providing easy entry into 190 countries. Seven European nations—Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark—claimed the third spot, allowing access to 187 destinations without prior visa requirements.
India’s Global Ranking
India ranked 80th in the 2025 index, sharing the position with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Tajikistan. Indian passport holders can travel visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival to 56 destinations.
Biggest Gainers and Losers
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the biggest gainer, rising to the eighth position with access to 184 countries, a significant jump from its 32nd rank in 2015. Similarly, China improved its ranking, moving to 59th place, up from 94th a decade ago, with access to 83 destinations.
In contrast, Venezuela and the United States suffered major declines. Venezuela dropped from 2nd place in 2015 to 44th in 2025, marking a staggering fall of 42 positions. Meanwhile, the United States, once consistently ranked second, has now slipped to ninth place, offering visa-free access to 183 countries.
South Asian Neighbours
- Myanmar ranked 88th with access to 45 destinations.
- Sri Lanka shared the 91st position with Iran and Sudan, allowing access to 42 countries.
- Bangladesh ranked 93rd, along with Libya and the Palestinian Territories.
- Nepal secured the 94th spot, while Pakistan ranked 96th, just ahead of Yemen.
Least Powerful Passports
The bottom three passports belong to nations facing significant instability and conflict:
- Afghanistan (99th position) – Holds the weakest passport globally, with access to only 25 countries.
- Syria (98th position) – Offers visa-free access to 27 destinations.
- Iraq (97th position) – Grants entry to 30 countries.
The Henley Passport Index, which has been tracking global passport rankings for 19 years, highlights the growing mobility gap between powerful and weak passports, with some nations expanding their access significantly while others continue to face travel restrictions.
Sources By Agencies
