Henley Index: US passport loses top-ten spot in global power ranking

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This decline is attributed to the revocation of visa-free entry privileges by several countries, as per the Henley ranking.

The United States’ passport has dropped from the top ten positions in the most recent Henley Passport Index, an assessment that quantifies worldwide travel accessibility by the number of countries travelers can enter without a visa.

Henley & Partners, a London-based consultancy specializing in citizenship and residency, has been compiling these rankings for two decades, utilizing data from the International Air Transport Association. The US passport, which held the top spot in 2014 and was seventh last year, has now descended to 12th place, sharing its position with Malaysia.

Henley indicated that the fall in ranking originates from the loss of visa-free entry to Brazil and China due to reciprocity disputes with the United States, along with changes in policy by Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Somalia. The organization further highlighted limited visa openness, observing that although US citizens can enter 180 out of 227 destinations without a visa, the US extends this same privilege to merely 46 nations.

“The declining strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in rankings – it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics,” remarked Christian H. Kaelin, the firm’s chairman. “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind,” he added.

Henley additionally connected this downturn to US President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement, which initially targeted illegal migration and drug trafficking but subsequently broadened to encompass more stringent regulations for tourists, foreign employees, and students. The organization pointed to recent visa limitations imposed on travelers from 19 countries, alongside threats to prohibit entry from an additional 36 nations, as crucial elements contributing to this deterioration.

“Trump’s return to power has brought fresh trade conflicts that weaken America’s mobility,” observed Dr. Tim Klatte, a partner at Grant Thornton China.

The index is currently topped by three Asian nations: Singapore, offering access to 193 visa-free destinations; South Korea, with 190; and Japan, with 189. When considering countries with equivalent scores, a total of 36 nations surpass the US, including all European Union members, the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and the UAE. Russia is positioned 50th, providing access to 114 visa-free destinations.