Singapore Holds the World's Most Powerful Passport in 2025

Singapore tops the global rankings for the most powerful passport in 2025, granting holders visa-free access to the highest number of destinations. This achievement reflects the country's strong international ties, making travel more seamless for its citizens.

Seven nations - Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark - secured the third position on the Henley Passport Index, granting their citizens visa-free access to 187 destinations worldwide.

According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Singapore now holds the title of the world's most powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 193 out of 227 countries. Meanwhile, India ranked 80th, allowing easy access to 56 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, evaluates 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to determine global mobility rankings.

Following Singapore, South Korea and Japan secured the second position, with their passports allowing visa-free travel to 190 destinations. In third place, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark provide unrestricted access to 187 locations without requiring a prior visa.

Biggest Gainers
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed the most significant improvement, adding 72 destinations to its list over the past decade. Climbing to the eighth spot, it now grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries, making it the only Arab nation in the top 10. A decade ago, in 2015, the UAE ranked 32nd.

China also made substantial progress, jumping from 94th place in 2015 to 59th in 2025, now allowing its passport holders access to 83 destinations.

Biggest Declines
Over the past decade, Venezuela and the United States experienced the most significant drops in global passport rankings.

The U.S., which once consistently ranked second behind Japan, fell to ninth place, now providing visa-free access to 183 destinations. Venezuela, however, saw an even sharper decline, dropping 42 positions to 44th place, a stark contrast from its second-place ranking in 2015.

India and Its Neighbors
India shared the 80th position with Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Tajikistan. Myanmar ranked 88th, offering access to 45 destinations. Sri Lanka landed in 91st place alongside Iran and Sudan, with entry to 42 destinations.

Bangladesh ranked 93rd, tied with Libya and the Palestinian Territories, while Nepal secured the 94th position. Pakistan ranked 96th, just ahead of Yemen.

Bottom Three Passports
At the lowest end of the index, Afghanistan, governed by the Taliban, held the weakest passport, ranking 99th. It experienced the widest mobility gap in the index’s 19-year history, now allowing visa-free access to just 25 countries.

Iraq followed closely in 97th place, offering access to 30 destinations, while Syria ranked 98th, with visa-free travel to 27 countries.

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Source: NDTV‍