PH passport rises to 72nd spot in global power ranking — Henley Passport Index
According to the index released Tuesday, the Philippine passport now allows visa-free access to 65 out of 227 destinations worldwide.
This marks a notable improvement from its rankings in previous years: 83rd in 2021, 77th in 2022, and 78th in 2023.
Singapore retained the top spot in the global ranking, with its passport granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations.
Japan and South Korea followed in second place, each offering access to 190 destinations.
Seven countries shared third place with visa access to 189 destinations: •Denmark •Finland •France •Germany •Ireland •Italy
•Spain
The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is widely used by global citizens and governments to assess passport strength and international mobility.
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Image credit: Getty Images The UAE continues to outperform its peers in global mobility, rising 34 places in the Henley Passport Index over the past decade to reach 8th position, up from 42nd in 2015. It is the only major riser to break into the Top 10, reflecting the country's sustained efforts in visa diplomacy and international engagement. Read- China, another standout mover, has also jumped 34 places over the same period, from 94th to 60th, despite not yet securing visa-free access to the Schengen Area in Europe. The remarkable gains by both countries underscore a shifting global mobility landscape increasingly defined by diplomatic strategy and openness, The Asia continues to lead in passport strength Singapore holds the crown as the world's most powerful passport in 2025, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 out of 227 destinations globally. Close behind are Japan and South Korea, tied for second place with visa-free access to 190 destinations each. European countries form a strong cluster in the Top 5. Seven European Union (EU) nations, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, share 3rd place, each offering access to 189 countries without a visa. Another group of seven European countries, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden, are tied in 4th place with visa-free access to 188 destinations. Outside Europe and Asia, New Zealand is the only country to break into the top tier from another region, tied in 5th place with Greece and Switzerland, each with access to 187 destinations. At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains the least powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 25 countries, highlighting a 168-destination gap between the most and least mobile nationalities. Biggest climbers and decliners in 2025 While the UAE and China have surged in passport strength, several Western nations are trending downward. The United Kingdom and the United States have each dropped one position since January. Once the most powerful passports in the world (UK in 2015 and US in 2014), they now sit in 6th and 10th place respectively. The UK offers visa-free access to 186 destinations, while the US grants access to 182, putting it on the edge of falling out of the Top 10 for the first time in the index's 20-year history. India has seen the largest leap in the last six months, rising eight places from 85th to 77th, despite only gaining two additional visa-free destinations (now totaling 59). Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has added four new destinations since January, the largest increase in the first half of 2025, lifting it four positions to 54th place. According to Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the passport index, these shifts are not random. '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.' China's openness strategy alters regional balance The long-term view of the Henley Passport Index points to a clear global trend toward greater mobility. Since 2006, the global average number of visa-free destinations per passport has nearly doubled, rising from 58 to 109 in 2025. More than 80 passports have improved by at least ten places over the past decade. China's rise has been particularly striking. In addition to its passport gains, China has significantly expanded its visa-free access policies for incoming travelers. According to the Henley Openness Index, which ranks countries based on how many nationalities they admit without prior visas, China now allows entry to citizens from 75 countries, up from fewer than 20 just five years ago. Notable additions to China's visa-free list in 2025 include all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as major South American nations like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Several European nations have also benefited from China's openness, further fueling their top-tier mobility rankings. China's expanding openness aligns with its broader strategic goal of attracting more tourists, investors, and global partners. This has not only enhanced its passport strength but also contributed to the dominance of European and Asia-Pacific passports in the Henley Passport Power Index, which measures the share of global GDP accessible to each passport without a visa. Global mobility shifts reflect broader geopolitical trends The growth of passport power in Asia and the Middle East comes at a time when legacy Western powers are losing ground. Of the few countries whose passport rankings have declined in the last decade, Venezuela is the biggest faller, dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th. The United States has fallen 8 places, Vanuatu 6, the UK 5, and Canada 4. This downward trend reflects a broader geopolitical realignment, where emerging economies are investing in diplomatic capital and liberalising visa regimes, while Western nations appear increasingly insular. According to Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, this transformation is also influencing global patterns in citizenship and residency investment. 'Americans are now leading global demand for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also in the top five. As the US and UK adopt more restrictive policies, citizens are seeking mobility solutions elsewhere,' he noted. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document, it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships,' Dr Steffen added. 'In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.' Meanwhile, demand for air travel is also surging, particularly in Asia. IATA Director General Willie Walsh reported a 5.8 per cent global increase in travel demand over the first five months of 2025, with Asia-Pacific carriers leading the way with 9.5 per cent growth. By contrast, North American growth was flat due to weak domestic travel performance. 'Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, consumer confidence remains strong,' Walsh said. 'Forward bookings for the peak Northern summer season are robust, suggesting continued momentum.'
Filipino Times
5 days ago
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PH passport rises to 72nd spot in global power ranking — Henley Passport Index
The Philippines has climbed to 72nd place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, gaining one spot from its 73rd ranking last year. According to the index released Tuesday, the Philippine passport now allows visa-free access to 65 out of 227 destinations worldwide. This marks a notable improvement from its rankings in previous years: 83rd in 2021, 77th in 2022, and 78th in 2023. Singapore retained the top spot in the global ranking, with its passport granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea followed in second place, each offering access to 190 destinations. Seven countries shared third place with visa access to 189 destinations: •Denmark •Finland •France •Germany •Ireland •Italy •Spain The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is widely used by global citizens and governments to assess passport strength and international mobility.
Khaleej Times
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The Indian passport has made a major leap in the Henley Passport Index 2025, climbing eight places to the 77th rank, up from 85 last year. This marks the biggest six-month jump by any country in the world. While the number of visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders has only slightly increased from 57 to 59, the broader trend is clear: global mobility is shifting. Emerging powers like the UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, and China are catching up to traditional leaders like the US and UK. UAE, China, Saudi lead passport rankings Among the biggest winners over the past decade is the UAE, which has skyrocketed from 42nd to 8th place, adding more visa-free destinations than any other country. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. China climbed 34 spots to reach 60th, thanks to a surge in diplomatic visa waivers. In 2025 alone, China added visa-free access for Gulf nations like Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, along with South American countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Singapore holds firm; US slides down Singapore retained its position at the top of the index, with visa-free access to 193 of 227 destinations. Japan and South Korea followed closely with 190 destinations. Seven EU countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, shared the third spot, while New Zealand joined Greece and Switzerland in fifth. The US and UK, once ranked first globally, continued their decline. The UK fell to sixth place with access to 186 destinations, and the US dropped to 10th with 182. According to the index, this is the first time the US risks falling out of the top ten altogether. Visa-free countries for Indian passport holders Indian citizens can now travel to 59 destinations without needing a visa in advance. Following countries give Indian passport holders visa-free access: Africa (19 countries): Angola, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and Somalia. Asia (18 countries): Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Macao, Malaysia*, Maldives, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand*, and Timor-Leste. North America (10 territories): Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Oceania (10 nations): Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Visa-on-arrival / e-visa access These destinations offer visa-on-arrival or electronic visa (e-Visa) facilities: Macau Myanmar Nepal Bhutan Cambodia Laos Tanzania Zimbabwe Jordan Kenya Bolivia Iran Malawi Living in the UAE has several advantages, including easy entry to several country. According to Henley & Partners, Indian residents in the UAE enjoy visa‑free entry to 58 countries as a UAE resident, subject to having a valid UAE residence permit. Some of them are the British Virgin Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Qatar, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and others. Why did Indian passport ranking improve? The Indian passport saw a boost in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, thanks to a mix of diplomatic wins, shifting global mobility trends, and new regional visa agreements. In 2025, India added the Philippines and Sri Lanka to its list of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations, bringing the total to 59. This rise reflects a broader global shift where emerging economies like India, the UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia are expanding travel agreements and gaining influence, while traditional powers see declining access. Strengthened bilateral ties across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, especially with Asean nations, the GCC, and African countries, have led to more relaxed visa norms and new visa-waiver agreements, making travel easier for Indian passport holders. *Malaysia (visa-free until Dec 2026), Thailand (requires ETA) *Double-check each country's entry rules ahead of time; duration, eTA requirements, health documents and renewals of bilateral agreements may affect eligibility.
