Singapore has remained at the top of the world’s most powerful passports in 2025, holding visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 22.
Though Singapore lost access to Pakistan and Mauritania, which now require e-visas instead of visa-on-arrival, the country still held on to first place.
Henley & Partners, the London-based group behind the index, explained that e-visas do not count as visa-free since they must be approved before travel.
“Singapore’s passport still offers unmatched access,” the report stated, adding that “even with changes in visa policies, its strong global ties keep it ahead.”
Coming in second are Japan and South Korea, with visa-free access to 190 countries. Seven European countries — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Finland and Denmark — are in third place, with access to 189 destinations.
A big surprise in this year’s update is the continued fall of the United States. The US passport, which topped the list in 2014, has now dropped to 10th place — its lowest position ever in the 20-year history of the index.
“The US is on the verge of falling out of the top 10,” Henley & Partners said, noting that visa-free travel options for American passport holders have steadily declined over the years.
The United Kingdom, which led in 2015, now ranks sixth on the list.
Meanwhile, experts believe that stronger regional partnerships and stable diplomatic ties have helped Asian countries like Singapore and South Korea stay ahead in the global mobility race.
“The shift shows how global mobility is changing,” a spokesperson from Henley & Partners added. “Asian countries have built strong relationships that are now reflected in their passports’ strength.”
