Henley Passport Index 2025: An Asian powerhouse secures top spot; Indian passport weakens

Singapore has reclaimed the top spot in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations. The US drops to ninth with 186 destinations, while India falls to 85th. Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan rank among...

By ET Online | Updated: Jan 09, 2025, 04.36 PM IST

Singapore has reclaimed its crown as the world’s most powerful passport in 2025 with visa-free access to 195 of the 227 global destinations, as per the annual results of the Henley Passport Index. Japan secured second place, offering visa-free access to 193 countries.

Having shared the number one spot in 2024, the EU member states of France, Germany, Italy and Spain all drop two places to share third position. They’re joined by Finland and South Korea, with all six passports granting visa-free access in 2025 to 192 destinations.

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Fourth place is equally competitive, with seven EU nations—Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden—each providing visa-free access to 191 destinations.

Completing the top five are Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK, and New Zealand—the only non-European country in this group—all offering visa-free travel to 190 destinations. Notably, the UK continues its decline, with its passport strength significantly diminishing over the past decade from its once-dominant number one spot.

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US passport loses top spots:

Notably missing from the top five is the U.S. passport, which has fallen to ninth place—a sharp decline from its usual first or second position a decade ago. Currently, U.S. passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 186 destinations.

Where does India stand?

India has dropped five places in this year's rankings, falling from 80th to 85th. The Indian passport now provides visa-free access to 57 countries, sharing its rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger.

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Pakistan ranks among the bottom five:

Pakistan and Yemen share the 103rd position on the Henley Passport Index, each offering visa-free access to 33 destinations. Iraq ranks 104th with access to 31 destinations, followed by Syria at 105th with 27 destinations. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, ranked 106th, with visa-free access to only 26 destinations.

Top 10 most powerful passports in the world:

Rank	Country	Visa-Free Destinations
1	Singapore	195
2	Japan	193
3	Finland	192
3	France	192
3	Germany	192
3	Italy	192
3	South Korea	192
3	Spain	192
4	Austria	191
4	Denmark	191

Top 10 non-Schengen countries you can visit with a Schengen visa

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A multiple-entry Schengen visa allows access to 31 countries within the Schengen Zone, but its benefits extend beyond Europe. Several countries offer entry to Indian travellers with this visa. However, it's important to be aware of the fine print, as visa regulations can change unexpectedly—so always verify with the relevant embassy before you travel.