Ten years ago, the United States passport was considered the most powerful globally, according to the , which ranks countries based on the number of destinations accessible to travelers without a visa.

However, in 2025, the U.S. passport’s ranking has declined, falling out of the top 10 most for the first time in two decades.

The U.S. passport slipped from 7th position in 2024 and is now tied with Malaysia in 12th place, granting access to 180 countries.

Currently, three East Asian nations lead in passport power: Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, offering visa-free entry to 193, 190, and 189 countries, respectively. Germany, Luxembourg, and Italy share the fourth position.

Several factors contribute to the U.S.’s recent decline, primarily linked to the Trump Administration’s stricter immigration policies.

“The weakening of the US passport over the last decade signifies more than just a change in rankings—it reflects a fundamental shift in global mobility and influence,” stated Christian Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners . “Nations prioritizing openness and collaboration are progressing, while those relying on past advantages are lagging behind.”

The report references Annie Pforzheimer, Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, who commented on the drop: “Even before a potential second Trump term, U.S. policy had become more inward-focused. This isolationist approach is now evident in America’s diminished passport strength.”

She pointed out that a series of ” to travel and” have raised “red flags” for travelers, along with Trump’s mass deportations,

Henley & Partners, a firm specializing in citizenship and residency assistance, identifies a lack of visa reciprocity as a key reason for countries’ ranking declines.

They highlight that while American passport holders can access 180 destinations without a visa, the U.S. allows only 46 other nationalities to enter visa-free. In April, for citizens of the US, Canada, and Australia, citing a lack of reciprocity.

The report also mentions rising U.S. visa costs, with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee nearly doubling on September 30, 2025, from USD 21 to USD 40.

Changes in other countries further impacted the U.S. ranking, including China’s expanded visa exemptions, benefiting many top 10 European nations like Germany and France, but excluding the U.S. Changes in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar also affected rankings, as did Somalia’s introduction of a new eVisa system this year.

The report also revealed a surge in Americans seeking alternative residence and citizenship options, noting a 67% increase in applications from U.S. nationals by the end of the third quarter of 2025 compared to the total for 2024.

Henley says that Vietnam’s exclusion of the U.S. from its recently released visa-free list served as the final blow.

The United Kingdom also experienced its lowest-ever ranking, though it remained in the top 10 at 8th place.

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