In October 2025, Henley & Partners introduced the updated Henley Passport Index, which evaluates the strength of passports from 199 countries and territories based on the number of visa-free destinations available to their citizens. The index estimates the number of countries that citizens can enter without a prior visa, as well as the possibility of obtaining a visa on arrival or an electronic entry permit.

Contents:

  1. Henley & Partners Index Methodology
  2. The Most Powerful Passports in the World
  3. Why is Singapore Holding the Top Spot?
  4. The Weakest Passports in the World
  5. The positions of the post-Soviet countries
  6. Factors Affecting the Rating

Henley & Partners Index Methodology

The methodology includes checking each of the 199 passports for the availability of 227 possible destinations, taking into account various conditions such as the purpose of the trip, length of stay, and document requirements.

227 possible destinations refers to the number of individual visa destinations that can be opened to passport holders. We are talking not only about countries — there are 195 of them in the world — but also about 32 other territories and subjects. A good example is Hong Kong, which, although it is part of China, has a separate passport and its own legislation.​

In addition to special territorial units, the methodology takes into account the overseas departments of large countries (the Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, Bermuda, Greenland) and autonomous units under their auspices.​

The Most Powerful Passports in the World

Top 10 most powerful passports in the world in October 2025:

Place

Countries

Visa-free destinations

1

Singapore

193

2

South Korea

190

3

Japan

189

4

Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland

188

5

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands

187

6

Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden

186

7

Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland

185

8

Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

184

9

Canada

183

10

Latvia, Liechtenstein

182

Why is Singapore Holding the Top Spot?

The answer is simple — economics. The country is a world leader in the financial sector. The headquarters of international banks, insurance companies and investment funds are located in the country. The city-state ranks 2nd in the global ranking of financial centers (after New York and London, which share 1st place).​

According to the International Monetary Fund, Singapore has one of the highest GDP per capita figures for 2025, at $72,000. The inflation rate is low, and the high level of employment spurs stable economic growth.​

The importance of the economic component is not necessary for countries that are members of a single bloc, such as the European Union or the Commonwealth of Nations. As a rule, countries have the opportunity to travel within the bloc without a visa, regardless of the economic situation of the country.​

Notable changes in the rating:

The United States continued its decline, dropping out of the top 10 most influential passports for the first time in two decades. The American passport dropped to 12th place with access to 180 destinations, the lowest value in the index’s history. In 2014, the United States was ranked first, but the gradual reduction of visa-free travel and the tightening of visa policy led to a decrease in the rating.​

The UK also continues to lose ground, dropping to 8th place. Brexit has significantly affected visa agreements between the UK and EU countries, which has caused Britons to lose the opportunity to freely travel across the European Union.

The Weakest Passports in the World

Countries with the least influential passports in October 2025:

  • Afghanistan — 24 countries (106th place, last).​
  • Syria — 26 countries (105th place).​
  • Iraq — 29 countries (104th place).​
  • Yemen and Pakistan are 31 countries (103rd place).​
  • Somalia — 33 countries (102nd place).​

Afghanistan continues to occupy the last place with access to only 24 countries, which is the result of many years (more than 40 years) of instability in the country. Iraq and Syria were characterized by authoritarian regimes that Western bloc countries imposed sanctions on — some of them are still in effect.

In general, the bottom of the list consists of countries with severe economic and political instability, which is why other states are in no hurry to conclude visa-free agreements with them.

 

The positions of the post-Soviet countries

Updated data for the countries of the region (October 2025):

  • Georgia ranks 46th with access to 123 countries.​
  • Ukraine ranks 33rd with access to 144 countries.​
  • Russia ranks 50th with access to 114 countries.​
  • Belarus ranks 65th with access to 81 countries.​

Georgia retains the status of the holder of the strongest passport among the countries of the 
region. 

Factors Affecting the Rating

Political events significantly affect the rating of passports. For example, Brexit led to changes in visa agreements between the UK and EU countries, which caused Britons to lose the opportunity to move freely across the EU.​

Also, after the military coup in 2021, the mobility of Myanmar citizens has significantly decreased. Neighboring countries and the main recipients of refugees promptly restricted their visa-free access to their countries. All this is taken into account when compiling the rating and directly affects the position of passports in it.​

Economic stability, diplomatic relations, the level of migration risk, and participation in international organizations remain key factors determining the strength of a passport.

Data updated as of October 7, 2025, based on the official Henley & Partners report.