Americans lose travel freedom as US passport power fades

Certain privileges and conveniences come along with holding a U.S. passport. In 2024, anyone with an American passport could visit 186 countries without needing a visa.

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The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, relies on data compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to give countries an “accessibility” score. Each country is scored on how many countries its citizens can access without needing a visa. Higher scores mean more global mobility.

The index is widely cited by media, governments, and financial institutions to measure a country's travel freedom, diplomatic strength, and sometimes even global reputation.

A lower ranking often reflects declining international relations or increased visa restrictions on citizens of that country.

“Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships,” said Henley & Partners' CEO Dr. Juerg Steffen in an announcement.

A U.S. passport no longer holds the same cache it once did.

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What's behind the U.S. decline in passport power, and what Henley says

Over the past decade, Henley has tracked passports from 199 countries, and only 22 countries have declined in the standings. The U.S. and the UK have slid the furthest, with the U.S. dropping from No. 1 in 2014 to No. 10 in 2025.

This year, U.S. passport holders only have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 182 countries, putting the U.S. at its lowest number in 20 years. The U.S. is now tied with Lithuania and Iceland.

The decline is due to tightening visa policies by both the U.S. and foreign governments and a reduced number of reciprocal agreements.

Making matters worse is the new $250 “visa integrity fee,” now required by any foreign national who requires a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S.

The fee is part of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which was voted into law on July 4, 2025. The fee applies to business visitors, students, vacationers, temporary workers, and medical tourists. It is expected to affect millions of prospective visitors, and the new fee is in addition to the existing $185 price for a nonimmigrant visa.

The fees may affect diplomacy and deter access.

Passport changes impact tourists, business travelers, and corporations

Reduced passport strength means more friction for travelers. Visa applications can take weeks to gain approval, require extensive documentation, and come with higher fees, all of which can make it more difficult for people who need to travel on short notice, such as to attend urgent meetings.

The Henley ranking acts as a proxy for how open countries' borders are to each other, so a weaker passport also means weaker diplomatic influence.

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For corporations managing business travel, the declining U.S. passport access may increase the need for visa services, planning contingencies, and even secondary citizenship.

Which countries' passports are the most powerful?

While the U.S. has declined, other countries like Singapore remain at the top, with access to 195 countries (out of 227 destinations), followed by Japan and South Korea, both at 190.

France, Germany, Italy, Finland, South Korea, and Spain all have access to 192 destinations visa-free. A seven-nation EU cohort with visa-free access to 191 destinations includes Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, followed by Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, and Switzerland with 190 visa-free destinations.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has climbed the highest over the last decade. It rose into the top 10, landing at 8 by adding 72 new visa-free destinations since 2015. China has risen from No. 94 to No. 60 because it has added dozens of nations, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index news announcement.