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The UAE continues to outperform its peers in global mobility, rising 34 places in the Henley Passport Index over the past decade to reach 8th position, up from 42nd in 2015. It is the only major riser to break into the Top 10, reflecting the country’s sustained efforts in visa diplomacy and international engagement.
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China, another standout mover, has also jumped 34 places over the same period, from 94th to 60th, despite not yet securing visa-free access to the Schengen Area in Europe. The remarkable gains by both countries underscore a shifting global mobility landscape increasingly defined by diplomatic strategy and openness, a Henley and Partners report said.
The Henley Passport Index, powered by exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks all of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations holders can access without a prior visa. The 2025 edition reveals clear winners and emerging trends in global mobility power.
Asia continues to lead in passport strength
Singapore holds the crown as the world’s most powerful passport in 2025, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 out of 227 destinations globally. Close behind are Japan and South Korea, tied for second place with visa-free access to 190 destinations each.
European countries form a strong cluster in the Top 5. Seven European Union (EU) nations, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, share 3rd place, each offering access to 189 countries without a visa. Another group of seven European countries, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden, are tied in 4th place with visa-free access to 188 destinations.
Outside Europe and Asia, New Zealand is the only country to break into the top tier from another region, tied in 5th place with Greece and Switzerland, each with access to 187 destinations.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains the least powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 25 countries, highlighting a 168-destination gap between the most and least mobile nationalities.
Biggest climbers and decliners in 2025
While the UAE and China have surged in passport strength, several Western nations are trending downward. The United Kingdom and the United States have each dropped one position since January. Once the most powerful passports in the world (UK in 2015 and US in 2014), they now sit in 6th and 10th place respectively.
The UK offers visa-free access to 186 destinations, while the US grants access to 182, putting it on the edge of falling out of the Top 10 for the first time in the index’s 20-year history.
India has seen the largest leap in the last six months, rising eight places from 85th to 77th, despite only gaining two additional visa-free destinations (now totaling 59). Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has added four new destinations since January, the largest increase in the first half of 2025, lifting it four positions to 54th place.
According to Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the passport index, these shifts are not random. “The consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned, and must be maintained, through active and strategic diplomacy,” he said. “Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged.”
China’s openness strategy alters regional balance
The long-term view of the Henley Passport Index points to a clear global trend toward greater mobility. Since 2006, the global average number of visa-free destinations per passport has nearly doubled, rising from 58 to 109 in 2025. More than 80 passports have improved by at least ten places over the past decade.
China’s rise has been particularly striking. In addition to its passport gains, China has significantly expanded its visa-free access policies for incoming travelers. According to the Henley Openness Index, which ranks countries based on how many nationalities they admit without prior visas, China now allows entry to citizens from 75 countries, up from fewer than 20 just five years ago.
Notable additions to China’s visa-free list in 2025 include all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as major South American nations like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Several European nations have also benefited from China’s openness, further fueling their top-tier mobility rankings.
China’s expanding openness aligns with its broader strategic goal of attracting more tourists, investors, and global partners. This has not only enhanced its passport strength but also contributed to the dominance of European and Asia-Pacific passports in the Henley Passport Power Index, which measures the share of global GDP accessible to each passport without a visa.
Global mobility shifts reflect broader geopolitical trends
The growth of passport power in Asia and the Middle East comes at a time when legacy Western powers are losing ground. Of the few countries whose passport rankings have declined in the last decade, Venezuela is the biggest faller, dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th. The United States has fallen 8 places, Vanuatu 6, the UK 5, and Canada 4.
This downward trend reflects a broader geopolitical realignment, where emerging economies are investing in diplomatic capital and liberalising visa regimes, while Western nations appear increasingly insular.
According to Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, this transformation is also influencing global patterns in citizenship and residency investment. “Americans are now leading global demand for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also in the top five. As the US and UK adopt more restrictive policies, citizens are seeking mobility solutions elsewhere,” he noted.
“Your passport is no longer just a travel document, it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships,” Dr Steffen added. “In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.”
Meanwhile, demand for air travel is also surging, particularly in Asia. IATA Director General Willie Walsh reported a 5.8 per cent global increase in travel demand over the first five months of 2025, with Asia-Pacific carriers leading the way with 9.5 per cent growth. By contrast, North American growth was flat due to weak domestic travel performance.
“Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, consumer confidence remains strong,” Walsh said. “Forward bookings for the peak Northern summer season are robust, suggesting continued momentum.”
