UAE tops Global Passport Power Index 2025 as US and UK slip in rankings

Five Highlights:

• UAE retains world’s most powerful passport with a mobility score of 179.
• Singapore rises to 2nd place, tied with Spain, scoring 175.
• US falls to 9th with 168; UK drops to 8th with 169.
• India ranks 73rd, mobility score 74, despite slight improvements.
• Afghanistan remains weakest passport with access to just 38 destinations.

Passports are not just travel documents—they represent a nation’s diplomatic clout and the freedom its citizens enjoy when traversing international borders. The Global Passport Power Index 2025 ranks countries based on “mobility scores,” which combine visa-free and visa-on-arrival access with visa-required destinations. This year’s ranking tells a story of shifting geopolitical influence and changing travel freedoms.

The United States: Slipping down the ranks

The US passport, once a symbol of unbridled global access, has seen its power diminish in 2025. Now ranked 9th globally, with a mobility score of 168, US citizens enjoy visa-free travel to 119 countries, visa-on-arrival access in 49, and need prior visas for 30 destinations. This is a decline from past years and reflects ongoing global and diplomatic realignments.

By comparison, leading European passports—previously at the forefront—also saw a decline. The United Kingdom dropped to 8th place with a mobility score of 169, while the U.S. fell just below. Analysts attribute this slide to tighter visa policies globally and reciprocal policies triggered by political tensions.

The Middle East and Asia lead: UAE and Singapore

For the fifth straight year, the United Arab Emirates holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, boasting a record mobility score of 179. UAE passport holders travel visa-free to 133 countries and enjoy visa-on-arrival access to 46, needing a visa for only 19 destinations. Singapore, Asia’s bellwether, surged to second place (tied with Spain) with a mobility score of 175.

The global top 10 also feature an array of European and Asian nations, with South Korea sitting at 3rd (mobility score 174), and Japan at 4th (173). Many EU nations (France, Germany, Italy, etc.) cluster around the 3rd and 4th spots, though most saw their mobility scores slightly reduced due to new visa requirements.

India’s passport: Small gains, static rank

India’s passport, often spotlighted as a barometer for the nation’s diplomatic outreach, ranks 73rd globally this year. Notably, India’s mobility score climbed slightly to 74, up from last year, thanks to incremental global agreements. Indian passport holders can now access 30 countries visa-free and obtain a visa on arrival in 44 countries. However, a prior visa is mandatory for 124 destinations, keeping Indian passport power modest on the global stage.

While India’s rank slipped one spot compared to 2024, analysts note that the small upward movement in score reflects successful but cautious foreign policy engagement and ongoing negotiations, especially within the Global South.

The weakest and the strongest

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan’s passport remains the world’s weakest, offering access to just 38 destinations, barely edging Syria (39) and Pakistan (45). 2025 saw little change for these passports, highlighting the persistent challenges for citizens from conflict-affected or diplomatically isolated nations.