US slips to 12th in Henley Passport Index, tied with Malaysia

The United States has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time since the Henley Passport Index began 20 years ago, landing in 12th place in the 2025 ranking tied with Malaysia, the index released this week shows. U.S. passport holders now have visa free or visa on arrival access to 180 of 227 destinations tracked in the index, which is compiled using International Air Transport Association travel data and assesses 199 passports.

Singapore, South Korea and Japan occupy the top three positions, granting visa free access to 193, 190 and 189 destinations respectively, followed by a group of European countries clustered below them. The U.S. decline reflects a mix of diplomatic shifts and reciprocal travel policies adopted by other countries over the past year, analysts and the index say.

Several specific changes have reduced American visa privileges abroad. Brazil reinstated visa requirements for U.S. nationals in April after disputes over reciprocity, and China’s recent expansions of its visa free arrangements did not include the United States. Smaller destinations including Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia and Vietnam have moved to tighter entry...