For the first time in two decades, the United States passport has fallen out of the world’s top ten most powerful travel documents, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The index, which measures global mobility based on visa-free access, shows that the U.S. has slipped to twelfth place, tied with Malaysia, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 180 destinations.
Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, said the shift reflects broader changes in global power and mobility. He noted that countries promoting openness and cooperation are advancing, while those relying on their past influence are losing ground. The decline marks a significant change from 2014, when the U.S. passport ranked number one worldwide.
Henley’s report suggests that U.S. policies under President Trump’s administration have contributed to the drop. The administration’s tightening of immigration controls, including a State Department review of more than 55 million visa holders for potential violations, has been cited as a key factor. The report also references visa suspensions targeting travelers from twelve countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, as well as additional restrictions on seven more nations and threats to ban dozens of others.
In response, a State Department spokesperson defended the U.S. passport’s continued strength, emphasizing that Americans still enjoy broad global access through longstanding partnerships with other nations. The spokesperson added that differences in ranking methodologies do not affect the department’s commitment to ensuring secure and efficient travel for both U.S. citizens and foreign visitors.
The 2025 index places Singapore at the top, with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland share fourth place with access to 188 destinations. At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan ranks last, offering visa-free travel to just 24 destinations.
Additional factors contributing to the U.S. decline include Brazil’s decision to revoke visa-free entry for American travelers earlier this year, China’s exclusion of the U.S. from its expanding list of visa-free countries, and Vietnam’s similar move to leave out American visitors.
Annie Pforzheimer, a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented that the drop in passport power mirrors a broader shift in American foreign policy. “Even before a second Trump presidency, U.S. policy had turned inward,” she said. “That isolationist mindset is now being reflected in America’s loss of passport power.”