- Singapore remains the strongest passport, with visa-free access to 195 destinations.
- Canada falls to 7th place, joining Malta and Poland with 188 destinations.
- China and UAE make significant improvements in passport strength.
In 2025, Singapore holds the top spot in the Henley Passport Index, offering its citizens visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan follows in second place with access to 193 destinations, boosted by the return of visa-free travel to China after the pandemic.
Canada has seen a noticeable decline, falling to 7th place alongside Malta and Poland. This drop highlights a broader trend in passport strength, with the U.S. also seeing a fall from second to ninth.
Canada’s Decline and the Rise of Singapore in Global Passport Rankings
The 2025 Henley Passport Index reveals that Singapore’s passport remains the most powerful, granting visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan, following closely behind with 193 destinations, has regained important travel privileges, such as visa-free access to China, which had been suspended during the pandemic.
On the other hand, Canada has dropped in the rankings, now sharing the 7th spot with Malta and Poland. This decline places Canada among the “top 5 losers” over the past decade, alongside the U.S. and Venezuela. The shift reflects changing diplomatic dynamics and global mobility factors.
China’s passport has seen significant improvement, climbing from 94th in 2015 to 60th in 2025, reflecting the country’s growing diplomatic reach. Additionally, the UAE has made a remarkable rise, securing the 10th spot with access to 185 destinations, gaining 72 more travel options since 2015.
The Henley Passport Index also notes the gap between the strongest and weakest passports, highlighting the stark contrast between the top passports and countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. These nations continue to struggle with limited global mobility, underscoring the growing divide in passport strength worldwide.
As global mobility evolves, passports continue to serve as indicators of diplomatic relationships and international access, with Singapore leading the way in 2025.
“The privilege of the passport: The stark difference between an expat and a migrant” – This article highlights
