US passport, once most powerful in the world, plummets in global ranking
The index says U.S. travelers can reach 180 destinations visa-free, while 36 countries now rank ahead as global mobility expands.
- On Tuesday, Singapore secured the top spot in the July 2026 Henley Passport Index with visa-free access to 192 destinations, while the United States passport has stagnated at 10th place with 180 countries.
- Two decades ago, the United States jointly held the top position alongside Denmark and Finland, but its global mobility has steadily slipped as other nations gained ground. The United Arab Emirates emerged as the biggest success story, adding 153 visa-free destinations since 2006.
- While American passport holders access 180 destinations, the United States allows only 46 other nationalities to enter visa-free, placing it 73rd on the Henley Openness Index. Consequently, 36 nations now rank ahead in visa-free mobility.
- Facing this mobility shift, 61% of Americans earning over $200,000 annually are considering moving abroad within five years, according to Apex Capital Partners. Henley & Partners reported a 183% surge in inquiries from U.S. nationals seeking alternative citizenship in the first quarter of 2025.
- The Henley & Partners report reveals a strong correlation between peacefulness and passport power, with many peaceful nations holding the strongest passports. Yet the U.S. remains a statistical outlier, ranking 10th for mobility while placing 134th on the Global Peace Index.
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South Korea has maintained its second-place ranking in a survey evaluating the influence of passports from various countries around the world. According to the "Henley Passport Index 20th Anniversary Report" released on the 22nd by global citizenship and residency advisory firm Henley & Partners, South Koreans were found to be able to travel freely to 188 countries either without obtaining a visa in advance or by obtaining one upon arrival. With…
U.S. Passport Drops To 10th In Global Mobility Ranking
Singapore has retained the world's most powerful passport in the July 2026 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations. The United States ranked 10th with access to 180 destinations, continuing a long-term decline from its position among the world's leading passports two decades ago.The report said the United Arab Emirates recorded one of the strongest gains in global mobility by significantly expanding its visa-free acc…
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The Canadian passport remains among the best in the world with its seventh position.
The United States passport was, 2006, the most powerful passport to the world, offering its citizens a level of global access matched only by two other nations: Denmark and Finland. After 20 years, the scenario changed, reveals the newly launched 20th anniversary report of the Henley Passport Index, the global ranking of freedom of travel.
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