logo
US slips again in passport power rankings

US slips again in passport power rankings

CNN2 days ago
The United States is on the brink of dropping out of the top 10 ranking of the world's most powerful passports.
In the latest quarterly update of the Henley Passport Index, created by the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, the US — which held the No. 1 position back in 2014 — has slipped down to the 10th place in the rankings.
It's the lowest position ever for the US in the 20-year history of the index, which tracks the global freedom of movement for holders of 199 passports to 227 countries and territories around the world, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). And because Henley counts multiple countries with the same score as a single spot in its standings, there are actually 33 countries that outrank the US on the list.
As we enter the second half of the year, Singapore has held onto its No.1 position as the world's most powerful passport for 2025.
Holders of this most desirable of travel documents enjoy visa-free access to 193 out of 227 destinations worldwide, more than citizens of any other place on the planet.
Naturally, Singapore isn't handing out passports to foreign nationals like candy. Applying for Singaporean citizenship requires at least two years of permanent residency, a review of 'economic contributions' and other qualifications, and compulsory national service for male applicants.
South Korea has climbed to join Japan at No.2 in the ranking, with an open door to 190 destinations, ensuring that Asian nations have a solid lead in the global mobility race.
The EU member states of Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain are all at No.3 behind them, in the third tier, along with Finland, with access to 189 destinations with no prior visa needed.
Europe holds sway over the fourth position in the rankings, too, which belongs to seven countries: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. All enjoy visa-free access to 188 destinations.
Squeaking into fifth place are Greece, Switzerland and New Zealand, all of which have visa-free access to 187 destinations.
At the opposite end of the list, at No. 99, Afghanistan remains locked in bottom place, with visa-free access to just 25 destinations, one fewer than at the start of this year. Syria is at No. 98 (with 27 destinations) and Iraq is at No. 97 (with 30 destinations).
That's a yawning mobility gap of 168 destinations between the top- and bottom-ranked passports.
The UK has dropped one spot to No. 6 in the rankings, with visa-free access to 186 destinations. Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta and Poland are tied at No. 7, while Canada, Estonia and the United Arab Emirates are at No. 8.
The UAE is one of the biggest success stories on the index, having risen 34 places in the past decade, from No. 42 to eighth place.
China has also jumped from No. 94 to No. 60 since 2015, a rise that's been achieved even without visa-free access to the 29 countries in Europe's Schengen Area.
Ninth place is shared by Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia, while No.10 is held by Iceland, Lithuania and the United States. The US now has visa-free access to 182 destinations worldwide.
In a provision in the Trump administration's recently enacted domestic policy bill, the United States will soon require international visitors to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of at least $250, added to existing visa application costs. The fee will apply to all visitors who are required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.
Critics including the U.S. Travel Association, a national nonprofit organization aimed at increasing travel to the United States, have panned the new visa fee as discouraging to visitors.
Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley and Partners, said in a release that the latest Henley Passport Index reveals an increasingly competitive landscape in global mobility.
'The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy,' he said. 'Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.'
Henley & Partners' list is one of several indexes created by financial firms to rank global passports according to the access they provide to their citizens.
Arton Capital's Passport Index takes into consideration the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories — Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Kosovo, the Palestinian territories and the Vatican. Territories annexed to other countries are excluded.
It's also updated in real-time throughout the year and its data is gathered by close monitoring of individual governments' portals.
Arton's Global Passport Power Rank 2025 puts the United Arab Emirates in the top spot, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 179. Second place is held by Spain, with a score of 176.
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, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185)
Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates (184)
Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183)
Iceland, Lithuania, United States (182)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ohio college ranked among most beautiful campuses in America
Ohio college ranked among most beautiful campuses in America

CBS News

time2 hours ago

  • CBS News

Ohio college ranked among most beautiful campuses in America

A college in Ohio was ranked among the nation's most beautiful campuses. Travel + Leisure magazine released its "30 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the U.S." list this month, and Kenyon College came in just outside the top 10 at No. 12. The private liberal arts college in Gambier received high praise from the magazine, which said it's Kenyon's "hilltop setting that makes for one of the country's most idyllic college walks." The school says it has nearly 700 acres of green centers and over 10 miles of trails. "The 10-foot-wide Middle Path, which extends the length of the campus, is shaded by massive trees that glow fiery orange in the fall. Veer off the path for Kenyon's castle-like Victorian Gothic Ascension Hall and the Greek Revival Rosse Hall with its elegant columns," Travel + Leisure said. Kenyon College, founded in 1824, is home to 1,752 students at its campus in Gambier, which is about 148 miles east of Pittsburgh. Stanford University in California came in at No. 1, according to Travel + Leisure. Berry College in Georgia, the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Florida South College and Bard College in New York rounded out the top 5. Swarthmore College, a private school 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia, came in at No. 13 on the list, the only college from the Keystone State to make the top 20. Bryn Mawr College, an all-female school 14 miles northwest of Philadelphia, came in at No. 22. No schools in western Pennsylvania made Travel + Leisure's list.

This Is One of Japan's Best Beach Towns—and It's Only an Hour From Tokyo
This Is One of Japan's Best Beach Towns—and It's Only an Hour From Tokyo

Travel + Leisure

time6 hours ago

  • Travel + Leisure

This Is One of Japan's Best Beach Towns—and It's Only an Hour From Tokyo

Kamakura, a seaside town just over an hour from Tokyo, has serene Zen temples, bamboo groves, and hiking trails. While here, travelers could enjoy the seaside, participate in things like Buddha tracing at the temple, and walk scenic trails with views of Mount Fuji. There's also a thriving culinary scene here—there are "flowing noodle" experiences, omakase dining, and laid-back wine bars. Sometimes called Tokyo's 'Little Kyoto' for its abundance of temples and shrines, the seaside town of Kamakura has scenery in spades, a laid-back surf spot vibe, and a robust culinary scene. Tokyoites and tourists alike love Kamakura as a day trip because there's loads to do in every season. Kamakura has a long history—in the 12th century, it served as the de facto capital of Japan's first shogunate government. Even after power shifted to Tokyo, it remained a favorite retreat among the urban elite. Indeed, the imperial family still has a shorefront villa near Zushi Beach, a picturesque stretch of sand located just southeast of the city. Kamakura's combination of old money, natural beauty, and proximity to Tokyo made it an artistic mecca, too. Painters Yuki Ogura and Seiki Kuroda and Japan's first Nobel Laureate for literature, Yasunari Kawabata, have all called Kamakura home. Today's proliferation of galleries and museums clearly show that the town's art scene is still flourishing, although the modern iteration is more boho, influenced by American surf culture, which has permeated from the nearby United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka (a naval base) since the 1960s and onwards. The result of these diverse influences is a small beach town with outsize clout when it comes to culture and dining. I've lived in Tokyo for 20 years and like to visit Kamakura to escape the urban crush from time to time. I also tapped Chihiro Moriyama, a Kamakura-based graphic designer who's lived in the city for 16 years, for insider tips. Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to Kamakura, Japan. Best Things to Do The Great Buddha at Kotoku temple in Kamakura, Japan. frenta/Adobe Stock Kōtoku-in, selected by Travel + Leisure as one of Japan's most stunning temples, is one of the biggest tourist draws in town, thanks to its 11-meter-tall bronze statue of Amitābha Buddha from the 13th century. It's a must-visit destination, but Moriyama is partial to Hasedera, a hillside temple with city views. 'Away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas, visitors can experience shakyo (sutra copying) and shabutsu (Buddha image tracing) in a serene venue surrounded by beautiful rock gardens,' she says. 'Shakyo and shabutsu are a way to calm the mind and reflect on yourself. Kamakura, the birthplace of Zen in Japan, with its historic temples and peaceful atmosphere, is the perfect place to try it.' Moriyama also recommends a stop at Hokokuji Temple, which has a towering bamboo grove similar to Kyoto's famous Arashiyama but without the hordes of tourists. 'Have you ever listened to the sound of bamboo? If you press your ear gently against it, you might hear the flow of water or the wind," she says. "There's also a peaceful teahouse where you can enjoy a bowl of matcha." Kamakura is actually nestled in a basin, ringed by low mountains that are threaded with hiking trails. If you are feeling up to a hike before hitting the beach, the two to three-hour Tenen Trail starts from Kencho-ji, the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura, and winds through woods of oak, beech, and maple before terminating at the rock gardens of Zuisen-ji Temple. 'On a clear day, you may catch a view of Mount Fuji,' says Moriyama. "The scenery changes with the seasons, and in autumn, the trail features beautiful fall foliage." And of course, there's surf and sand. Yuigahama is the most popular beach, thanks to its proximity to Kamakura Station. The official swimming season is quite short, and spans just July and August, but you'll find surfers and beachcombers year-round. Local board shops also offer stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and sea kayaking. During summer, beachfront shops serve drinks and food, along with showers and changing rooms so you don't have to ride back to Tokyo covered in sand. Best Restaurants People walk along the Komachi Street lined with craft shops and restaurants in Kamakura. James Witlow Delano/Bloomberg via Getty Images With so much foot traffic passing from the station to the beach, restaurants in Kamakura have perfected the art of the tasty takeaway picnic box. Moriyama recommends Antico Rondino, a panini shop specializing in Italian cured meats like mortadella, prosciutto, and porchetta. 'It's a casual and delicious shop located on the way to the Great Buddha that's great for a quick bite or takeaway,' she says. For a sit-down meal, crowds tend to flock to restaurants with views over the water, like Australian all-day diner Bills or pizzeria Amalfi Dellasera, but Moriyama suggests Matsubara-an for a more local vibe. 'It's in a beautifully renovated modern Japanese house with a welcoming terrace space, where you can enjoy delicious soba noodles and a variety of seasonal dishes,' she says. Although it doesn't have ocean views, it's close enough to Yuigahama to enjoy a post-meal walk on the sand. Another option for noodle fans is Chaya Kado. From April to October, they serve the beloved summertime dish nagashi somen or 'flowing noodles.' Thin, wheat-flour noodles called somen are washed down a bamboo slide; diners pluck them up as they pass, dunk them in a chilled dipping sauce, and slurp up as much as their stomachs can hold. Just five minutes from the station is the elegant Kamakura Fukumi, a tiny restaurant serving omakase courses for lunch and dinner. Kyoto-trained chef Ikeda draws on locally grown vegetables to produce elegant, jewel-like dishes paired with savory clay-pot rice from Niigata and seafood grilled over binchō-tan, a type of hardwood charcoal. 'Each visit brings new discoveries through the delicate flavors that reflect the changing seasons,' say Moriyama. And to finish off the day, the relaxed ambiance at wine bar Tres, run by husband and wife sommeliers, makes the case for lingering until the last train. Alternatively, a friendly pint or a can for the road awaits at Yorocca Beer Pub Sasameza, the taproom for hometown small-batch brewer Yorocca.

Amazon Has a Rustic Tiny House With 2 Bedrooms, a Porch, and a Bright, Airy Layout—All Under $12K
Amazon Has a Rustic Tiny House With 2 Bedrooms, a Porch, and a Bright, Airy Layout—All Under $12K

Travel + Leisure

time7 hours ago

  • Travel + Leisure

Amazon Has a Rustic Tiny House With 2 Bedrooms, a Porch, and a Bright, Airy Layout—All Under $12K

A century ago, you could order a home in a Sears catalog, wait for its arrival by railroad boxcar, and construct it with your friends and family. This mail-order service was halted long ago, but you can find some of these homes in the U.S. Thanks to Amazon, this convenient (and nearly unbelievable) way to buy a home is available once again. Tiny homes can be ordered at Amazon, delivered in mere weeks, and constructed in just a few days. Amazon is overflowing with tiny homes for sale, so whether you prefer a modern two-story home or an eco-friendly cabin, you're sure to find an affordable home that suits your style. In fact, we just found a two-bedroom home available for under $12,000 at Amazon, and it's one of the retailer's best homes yet. Keep reading to learn more about the customizable prefab house. One standout feature of this home is the spacious front porch, which is fully covered to protect you from sun, rain, and snow. The porch is large enough to fit outdoor furniture, making it easy to imagine relaxing on the porch all day long—especially if your property features scenic views. If you think living in a tiny home means feeling cramped, think again. This tiny home boasts two bedrooms, so you'll even have room for a guest. Whether you're looking for a new outdoor hideaway, a guest house, or some other cozy escape, this tiny house has all the room you'll need for comfortable living. The listing's photos display a spacious interior, including a living space and an L-shaped kitchen with room for a small dining table. Plus, whereas some cabin-style tiny homes are missing a bathroom, this one has a full bath. The home also features plenty of windows on each side of the home, so you'll get plenty of natural light inside. Like most tiny homes, this house is made of steel shipping containers, making it a sturdy and durable structure that's built to last (even in inclement weather). The house can even be personalized by adding additional containers and arranging them to your desired layout. Travel + Leisure hasn't tested this house or discussed rates with the seller, so we encourage you to contact the seller directly to learn more about their personalization options. If you're interested in more prefab tiny homes, keep reading for other cozy options available at Amazon. Travel + Leisure / Amazon This tiny home has a cabin-like exterior, and has a customizable modular layout. Thanks to plenty of windows and a glass front door, the interior gets plenty of natural light, too. This tiny home has a sleek look, with an idyllic wraparound porch that adds a unique, homey touch. It can be fully customized to the layout of your choice and can even include up to three bedrooms, making it a great guest house, family retreat, or rental cabin. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store