Singapore has been recognized as having the world’s most powerful passport in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 out of 227 global destinations. This ranking places Singapore ahead of Japan, which ranks second with access to 193 destinations, and several European countries (Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Finland, and South Korea) that share third place, allowing access to 192 destinations. The index, produced by Henley & Partners, uses data from the International Air Transport Association to evaluate 199 passports globally, considering visa-free access, visas on arrival, and visitor permits.
The United Arab Emirates has seen significant improvement in its passport standings, now allowing visa-free entry to 185 destinations. Meanwhile, the United States’ passport has fallen from second to ninth place, losing access to five destinations over the past decade. Afghanistan continues to hold the weakest passport, allowing access to only 26 destinations. The disparity between the strongest and weakest passports is at a historic high, with Singaporeans able to visit 169 more locations visa-free than Afghan citizens. Other countries with weak passports include Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, and Somalia.
