World's most powerful passports 2025: SA climbs the passport ranks

Time Out

23-07-2025

The South African passport is back in the game — climbing two spots to 48th in the latest Henley Passport Index, with visa-free (or visa-on-arrival) access to 103 destinations.
It's a modest win. But in a world where passport power signals global standing, economic muscle and strategic diplomacy, it's not just about where we can go, it's also about how open we are in return. The Passport Indexis based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – seen as the largest, most accurate travel information database, together with Henley & Partners' research team.
Here are the Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in 2025
Visa-free access by passport holders, according to the latest Henley Passport Index:
Singapore – 193 destinations
Japan, South Korea – 190
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain – 189
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 188
Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland – 187
United Kingdom – 186
Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland – 185
Canada, Estonia, UAE – 184
Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia – 183
Iceland, Lithuania, United States – 182
Key passport ranking facts for 2025:
South Africans can now travel visa-free to 103 destinations, up from 104 in May, and moving the passport up two places in the global ranking.
We're now tied with countries like Georgia and Azerbaijan — but still lagging behind top African nations like Seychelles (26th) and Mauritius (30th).
At the top of the 2025 Henley Passport Index is Singapore with access to 193 countries, followed closely by Japan and South Korea (190).
The United States continues its decline, now tied at 10th place with only 182 destinations accessible — fewer than a year ago.
The average number of destinations accessible visa-free globally has nearly doubled since 2006, from 58 to 109.
Top 5 most powerful African passports in 2025, ranked according to the latest Henley Passport Index:
Seychelles – Ranked 26th globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 destinations.
Mauritius – 30th globally, access to 149 destinations.
South Africa – 49th globally, with 104 destinations (and recently up from 50th).
Botswana – 60th globally, access to 91 destinations.
Namibia – 65th globally, with 81 destinations.
Why South Africa's Passport Still Has Work to Do
South Africa's passport has seen a slight rebound in 2025 — a positive sign after a decade marked by stagnation and sporadic declines. But the gap between us and the mobility elite is vast: Singaporeans can visit 90 more destinations without a visa than South Africans.
That's not just a travel perk — it's a reflection of deep diplomatic capital, trade partnerships, and reciprocal agreements. Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, puts it plainly: 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships.'
South Africa's slow ascent highlights a broader reality: We haven't negotiated aggressively enough for more global mobility. And in an era where business, education, and even cultural exchange depend on fast, flexible travel, this limited access can hurt.
But What About How Open We Are?
Cue the Henley Openness Index, a lesser-known but increasingly important ranking that shows how many nationalities a country lets in without a prior visa.
South Africa lands just outside the global Top 50 for openness at 57, allowing 86 nations visa-free access — respectable, but hardly revolutionary. We're more open than the US (which only allows 46 nationalities visa-free), but far behind destinations like Rwanda (198 visa-free) or the Seychelles (197 visa-free), which bodes well for tourism and attracting global investment.
In contrast, China, long known for its strict entry policies, now allows visa-free access to 75 countries, up from fewer than 20 just five years ago. That move has helped it leap up 34 spots on the Passport Index since 2015, showing how openness and passport power are interlinked.
Why This All Matters for Africa — and SA
With the world's top destinations buckling under overtourism, eyes are turning to under-explored, high-potential regions and that spells opportunity for Africa - if we make it easier to visit.
With overtourism straining iconic destinations like Venice, Paris and Bali, the world is starting to look elsewhere. Wide-open spaces, deep culture, unfiltered adventure, and serious bang-for-buck? Cape Town and South Africa as a whole has got it in spades.
While countries like Kenya and Mauritius have rolled out visa-free or e-visa systems to welcome more travellers, South Africa has long lagged behind. But that may finally be changing.
Enter: STAGES and MEETS — two new, fast-tracked digital visa categories launched in July 2025 that signal a long-overdue shift in how South Africa handles global travel and creative business.
STAGES (Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme) is built for international filmmakers and production teams.
MEETS (Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme) targets global delegates and conference organisers.
Both are fully online, promise rapid turnaround times, and are designed to unlock job creation and economic growth — especially in Cape Town, where a Netflix production reportedly pulled out last year due to visa delays, costing the city around R400 million.
With STAGES, these roadblocks could soon be history as we push towards secure, yet welcoming openness. While our passport power is still middling, improved inbound access will only position South Africa as a competitive, desirable destination in a saturated global market.
The reality? Passport power cuts both ways. And with reforms like STAGES and MEETS, South Africa is showing signs of playing the long game. In a multipolar world where travel freedom reflects national power, it's not just about how far we can go. It's also about how easy we make it for the world to come to us. We have the infrastructure. We have the story. Now we just need to drop more of the red tape.