US Passport Drops Out of Top 10 Most Powerful Passports List
On October 14, the US passport dropped out of the top 10 list in the Henley Passport Index for the first time and now ranks 12th. This decline is attributed to changes in visa policies and former President Trump's policies. Singapore holds the top position, while China’s ranking has improved. India is ranked 85th, with its citizens able to travel visa-free to 57 countries.
The US passport, once considered the most powerful in the world, has slipped to 12th place on the Henley Passport Index, which started 20 years ago. It now shares this rank with Malaysia.
This drop reflects global diplomatic shifts and visa policy changes that have weakened the US passport’s power. Trump's tumultuous policies are also seen as a contributing factor. According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), US passport holders can now travel visa-free to only 180 out of 227 countries.
This number is significantly lower than the top ranking a decade ago. Experts say countries like Brazil ended their visa-free agreements with the US because reciprocal privileges were not granted. Additionally, China and Vietnam have excluded the US from their visa-free lists. New e-visa systems in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Somalia have also limited access for US passport holders.
US visa policies are a major reason for this decline. While US citizens can travel visa-free to 180 countries, the US allows visa-free entry to only 46 countries’ citizens. In the Henley Openness Index, the US ranks 77th, indicating its low level of “hospitality.” This gap is the second largest after Australia. Experts suggest other countries are reciprocating the US's strict visa policies.
Singapore Tops the List, China’s Ranking Improves
Singapore ranks first with visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). China has significantly improved its passport strength over the past decade. From 94th in 2015, China is now 64th, adding visa-free travel to 37 more countries, totaling 82 countries.
Conversely, China allows visa-free entry to 76 countries' citizens, 30 more than the US. Recently, China added Russia to its visa-free list. India ranks 85th, with citizens enjoying visa-free travel to 57 countries.