A Global Shake-Up: The U.S. Passport Falls From the Top After Two Decades

WASHINGTON — For the first time in twenty years, the United States no longer holds a spot among the world’s ten most powerful passports, marking a symbolic — and some say telling — decline in America’s global mobility.

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks countries based on how many destinations their citizens can enter without a visa, the U.S. passport dropped to 12th place, tied with Malaysia. Just a year ago, it held the 7th position. By July, it had slipped to 10th — and now, it’s officially out of the top tier.

A decade ago, the United States sat comfortably at the top of the global rankings. But the latest numbers, highlighted by The Guardian, paint a different picture — one of shifting power dynamics and waning soft influence.

A Symbol of Changing Times

“The decline in U.S. passport strength over the past decade isn’t a minor adjustment,” said Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index. “It’s a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power.”

Kaelin’s words echo a broader sentiment: countries that prioritize openness and cooperation are rising steadily, while those that rely on the “privileges of the past” are losing ground.

At the top of the list, Singapore leads with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). The dominance of Asian countries at the summit signals not just economic might — but growing diplomatic reach.

Policy Ripples and Reciprocal Rules

The Henley Index, based in London, draws its data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has tracked global travel freedom for nearly two decades. Its message this year is clear: America’s influence no longer guarantees mobility.

Analysts partly attribute the slide to tightened visa and immigration policies during the Trump administration, when restrictions initially targeted undocumented migrants but soon expanded to include students, tourists, and skilled workers.

Reciprocity — or the lack of it — plays a critical role in the ranking. While U.S. citizens can visit 180 countries visa-free, only 46 nationalities can enter the U.S. without a visa. That imbalance, experts say, has hurt Washington’s standing.

Earlier this year, Brazil reinstated visa requirements for Americans, Canadians, and Australians, citing the absence of reciprocity. Meanwhile, China and Vietnam excluded the U.S. from their new visa-free travel lists — subtle but significant diplomatic snubs.

The Rise of the Rest

It’s not just the U.S. feeling the shift. Other English-speaking nations such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have also plateaued or declined in passport strength.

Collectively, these drops underscore a realignment of global openness — one where Asia and Europe are setting the new standard for diplomatic engagement and travel freedom.

Kaelin’s report frames this as a “reshuffling of mobility power,” driven by global trust, not GDP. “The passport,” he wrote, “has become one of the purest indicators of international cooperation.”

The New American Dream? Two Passports

Amid the decline, an unexpected trend is emerging: more Americans are seeking dual citizenship.

“Over the next decade, we’ll see many Americans acquiring second nationalities — by descent, investment, or marriage,” said Peter J. Spiro, a law professor at Temple University. “Dual citizenship is becoming the new American dream.”

For a country long associated with freedom of movement, the irony is sharp. The American passport still opens many doors — but not as many as it once did. And in an increasingly interconnected world, that change speaks volumes.