The latest Henley Passport Index in July reveals that Singapore leads in the first position in terms of the world’s most with visa-free access to 193 destinations out of 227 globally. The index is powered by exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks all the world’s passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. Asian nations continue to lead the global mobility race, with Japan and South Korea sharing the 2nd place, each granting their citizens access to 190 destinations visa-free.
On the other hand, Mauritius has jumped places, ranked 30th in 2024 to reach the 27th position in 2025, where Henley, on its website remarks that the island has witnessed a steady economic growth for decades, is one of the most business-friendly countries in Africa. Residence brings many benefits, including lifestyle advantages, with additional benefits for Southern African Development Community citizens. It offers 149 visa-free destinations, according to the report.
A strong European contingent occupies the rest of the Top 5, where seven EU passports share the 3rd place — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, all with access to 189 destinations. Another seven-nation European cohort, with visa-free entry to 188 destinations, makes up the joint 4th — Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — while New Zealand, the only nation to challenge the regional dominance, ties in 5th place with Greece and Switzerland.
The UK and US have each dropped a place in the global passport rankings since January, continuing a long-term downward trend. Once the most powerful passports in the world — the UK in 2015 and the US in 2014 — they now rank 6th and 10th, respectively. The UK currently has visa-free access to 186 destinations, while the US trails with 182. Notably, the US is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index’s 20-year history.
On the other hand, India has recorded the largest jump in ranking over the past six months, climbing eight places from 85th to 77th, despite only adding two destinations to its visa-free tally, now at 59. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has made the biggest gain in visa-free access, adding four destinations since January. Its total now stands at 91, lifting the kingdom four places to 54th.
Inventor of the passport index concept, Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, says the latest Henley Passport Index reveals an increasingly competitive landscape in global mobility. “The consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy. Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.”
The UAE continues to be a standout among the top risers, shooting up 34 places over the last 10 years from 42nd to 8th place, making it the only big riser to break into the Top 10 in the ranking. Another notable winner is China, also rising 34 places from 94th to 60th since 2015 — particularly impressive considering that, unlike other top risers, China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area.
Chief Executive Officer at Henley & Partners, Dr. Juerg Steffen, commented that this trend is reshaping the investment migration landscape. “Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally. As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we’re witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security. Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships. In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.”
