For the first time since the Henley Passport Index was established in 2006, the U.S. passport has dropped out of the world’s top ten.
According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the U.S. now ranks 12th, tied with Malaysia, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180 destinations.
The shift is modest in absolute terms but significant in symbolic and policy terms. It marks the continued erosion of what was once considered one of the most powerful passports in the world. The decline invites broader reflection on how diplomatic strategy, immigration policy, and globalization affect citizens’ mobility rights.
The Data: U.S. Passport Ranking 2025
The Henley Passport Index measures the number of destinations a passport holder can enter without obtaining a visa in advance. In 2025, the U.S. fell behind several European and Asian nations.
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Destinations |
| 1 | Singapore | 195 |
| 2 | France | 194 |
| 2 | Germany | 194 |
| 2 | Italy | 194 |
| 5 | Japan | 193 |
| 12 | United States | 180 |
In 2014, the U.S. passport occupied first place, sharing the top ranking with the United Kingdom. The loss of 14 positions over a decade highlights a gradual but consistent trend: while the absolute mobility of Americans remains high, the relative mobility compared to peers has weakened.
Source: Henley & Partners Passport Index 2025
Why the U.S. Passport Has Declined
Several interconnected factors explain the decline.
1. Reduced diplomatic expansion of visa-free agreements.
Unlike the European Union or Singapore, the U.S. has not negotiated new large-scale visa-waiver programs in recent years. Reciprocal arrangements have stalled, particularly with fast-growing regions in Asia, Africa, and South America.
2. Heightened immigration and security scrutiny.
Post-pandemic visa regimes have become more complex. The U.S. continues to require visas for citizens of many countries that offer reciprocity to European nations, reducing incentive for reciprocal access.
3. Increased competition from proactive states.
Nations such as Singapore, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates have pursued active “mobility diplomacy,” expanding their citizens’ global access through strategic bilateral agreements.
The cumulative result is a rebalanced global hierarchy in which mobility is earned through diplomacy, not assumed through historical power.
The Implications for Americans
For most U.S. citizens, international travel remains straightforward, yet the relative decline of the passport carries several implications:
- Business mobility: American executives and entrepreneurs now face longer processing times in key emerging markets.
- Global talent competition: Professionals seeking flexible residency or remote work options find fewer friction-free pathways than their European counterparts.
- Diplomatic symbolism: Passport strength reflects not only travel convenience but also symbolizes international trust and cooperation.
These dynamics underscore a wider transition: the privilege of mobility is shifting toward regions that actively maintain and expand cross-border relationships.
The Growing Appeal of European Citizenship
As global mobility patterns shift, interest in European citizenship has increased markedly among Americans. This trend reflects more than a search for convenience. It signals a deeper re-evaluation of identity, stability, and participation in transnational communities.
European citizenship offers a framework of legal, social, and economic rights that extends beyond travel access, embodying membership in a collective system of governance that guarantees freedom of movement, residence, and employment across the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. These rights remain consistent regardless of political changes within any single member state.
For many individuals in the United States, the renewed attention to ancestral citizenship may also stem from the recognition that their families’ ties to Europe were never entirely severed. Countries such as Lithuania, Ireland, Poland, and Portugal maintain nationality laws that allow descendants of emigrants to reclaim citizenship based on lineage.
In this context, the pursuit of European citizenship is best understood not as acquisition but as restoration, a continuation of existing legal and historical relationships. It reflects a broader societal response to uncertainty in global mobility and governance, where individuals seek durable forms of belonging across borders.
Those exploring this process often turn to resources like Citizenship.eu for clarity and accuracy in assessing eligibility.
You can start by checking your eligibility with one of our service packages.
A Broader Shift in Global Mobility
The reordering of passport rankings reflects wider geopolitical and economic trends.
- Regional integration: The EU’s consistent internal mobility and external visa policies have amplified collective strength.
- Soft power diplomacy: Countries investing in cultural, educational, and business exchange agreements gain reciprocal access benefits.
- Migration normalization: As more nations formalize long-term residence programs for investors, students, and professionals, citizenship itself becomes a key strategic tool for global participation.
In this environment, dual citizenship functions less as a status symbol and more as an adaptive strategy. It allows individuals to maintain flexibility, security, and opportunity in an increasingly mobile world.
Looking Ahead
If current trends continue, the U.S. passport is likely to remain outside the top tier unless major new visa-waiver agreements are established. Meanwhile, European and Asian states are expected to dominate the mobility index through collective and proactive diplomacy.
For Americans, the message is clear. Global mobility is no longer guaranteed by birthright. It is shaped by law, policy, and personal initiative.
Exploring European citizenship through descent offers a legitimate, legal path to restoring global access and long-term flexibility.
Explore your options now by signing up with Citizenship.EU.