Henley Passport Index 2025: Canada Stays in Top 10, U.S. Falls to 12th Place
According to the Henley Passport Index (October 2025), Canada continues to hold one of the world’s most powerful passports, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations.
This puts Canada in 9th place globally, ahead of the United States, which fell out of the top 10 for the first time in two decades.
Although Canada slipped slightly from 7th earlier this year, experts note that this still reflects strong international partnerships and widespread visa agreements that support Canada’s global mobility.
The Henley Index—based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)—ranks 199 passports by the number of countries their holders can visit without a prior visa.
U.S. Passport Drops to Its Lowest Ranking in 20 Years
The United States now ranks 12th with visa-free access to 180 destinations, sharing its position with Malaysia.
This marks the lowest point for the U.S. in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index.
The decline has been linked to:
- Countries such as Brazil reinstating visa requirements for U.S. travelers.
- The U.S. offering visa-free access to only 46 nations, affecting its “openness” score.
- Rising passport strength in European and Asian countries, reflecting evolving global diplomacy.
Analysts say the U.S. drop highlights a broader shift in soft power and international influence, as global travel freedom becomes more evenly distributed.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World (October 2025)
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free / Visa-on-Arrival Destinations |
| 1 | Singapore | 193 |
| 2 | South Korea | 190 |
| 3 | Japan | 189 |
| 4 | Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland | 188 |
| 5 | Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands | 187 |
| 6 | Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden | 186 |
| 7 | Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland | 185 |
| 8 | Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom | 184 |
| 9 | Canada | 183 |
| 10 | Latvia, Liechtenstein | 182 |
Why These Rankings Matter
For Canadians, the strong ranking confirms that Canadian citizenship remains one of the most globally mobile.
For Americans, it’s a reminder that maintaining reciprocal visa agreements and international diplomacy plays a crucial role in global movement.
Post-pandemic policy shifts and strengthening alliances among European and Asian countries have created a more competitive passport landscape—where smaller, highly connected nations now lead.
Conclusion
While Canada maintains its reputation as a global mobility leader, the U.S. experiences its sharpest drop in two decades.
These results from the Henley Passport Index 2025 underscore how international cooperation, diplomacy, and visa reciprocity directly shape global travel freedom.