The International Air Transport Association (IATA) compiles statistics related to passport use and air travel. In the recent 2025 global passport ranking, also compiled by the IATA, Singapore’s high ranking, coming in at number one, is worth noting. It is closely followed by Japan and then South Korea. Looking at European countries, Spain, Germany, and France are also on the list thanks to their widespread use around the world. Among all these countries, it is worth noting the change in the ranking of the US passport, which is currently in the same position as Lithuania and Iceland. On the other hand, the United Kingdom has also seen changes in its travel power. Finally, we must also take into account those less effective passports, such as Afghanistan’s. Read on to learn more about the power of passports.
The necessity of a passport to explore the world
A passport serves as a document that allows citizens of a country to identify themselves abroad and cross international borders; however, not all passports are equally powerful and depend on the number of countries that can be entered without the need for an additional visa.
Singapore, the most powerful passport in the world
According to the global ranking shared by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the most powerful passport in the world is Singapore’s, as it allows its citizens to enter 193 destinations worldwide without a visa.
Singapore’s passport ranks first thanks to factors such as a stable government, immigration policies, bilateral treaties, and active diplomacy, which make the country’s citizens reliable when entering any international destination.
Japan and South Korea occupy second place, with passports that allow entry to 192 destinations without the need for an additional visa.
The world’s most powerful passports in 2025
- Singapore: 193 destinations
- Japan: 192
- South Korea: 192
- Germany: 191
- Spain: 191
- France: 191
- Italy: 191
- Finland: 191
- Denmark: 191
- Ireland: 191
Change in passport power
Previously, the US passport was the most powerful in the world, but it has now fallen to tenth place due to changes in immigration policies, the absence of bilateral treaties, and stricter criteria for granting visas.
Alongside the US passport, Lithuania and Iceland’s passports also rank tenth, while the UK passport, previously one of the most powerful in the world, has fallen to sixth place.
U.S. drops to lowest ranking yet on index of most powerful passports
Americans once held the world’s most powerful key to international travel, but in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index, released this week, U.S. passports dropped to their lowest position yet, outranked by affluent Asian countries that dominated the top of the list, European mainstays and others.