The US drops out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time.

Santo Domingo — The U.S. passport fell from 7th to 12th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, leaving the top ten most powerful documents in the world for the first time.

U.S. citizens can enter 180 destinations without a visa. The United States shares its new status with Malaysia, an Asian country with a high level of economic development.

In July, the US passport ranked 10th, alongside Iceland and Lithuania, with access to 182 destinations.

Lithuania has remained in that position, but now Liechtenstein, a European microstate, occupies tenth place.

Asian countries continue to lead the ranking: Singapore tops the list with 193 destinations; South Korea is second with 190; and Japan is third with 189.

A report by the global firm, published by numerous international media outlets, attributes the decline of the United States to a progressive loss of influence and international reciprocity.

Among the factors that lowered its score was Brazil’s decision to reinstate visa requirements for US citizens in April. China also removed it from its visa exemption lists.

Papua New Guinea and Myanmar made adjustments that reduced visa-free access for Americans.

Vietnam did not include it in its recent free entry expansions, and Somalia introduced a new eVisa system that also affected the score.

These adjustments, according to the report, have deteriorated the overall mobility position of American citizens.

The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), evaluates 199 passports and 227 destinations. It is updated monthly and is considered a global benchmark for international mobility.