Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Tops While India Drops Down to One Rank Down

The Henley Passport Index 2025 has shown striking changes in the ranking of passports across the world, while Singapore again gained its position as the most powerful passport in the world. It offers visa-free access to 195 destinations and thus took the lead among its competitors. On the other hand, India slipped to 85th place with visa-free access to only 57 countries, down from 60 destinations last year.

Singapore Shines at the Top

It creates history with setting a record in giving visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations across the globe to its citizens. Consequently, it also gives Singapore, once again, the leadership rating pertaining to global mobility and international relations.

Japan, which shared the top spot last year, comes in second place with visa-free access to 193 destinations. The partial recovery of visa-free access to China for Japanese nationals has been an important factor in maintaining its position.

India’s Decline in Global Rankings

Comparing to last year, it has slipped down by five positions—80th rank in 2024 to 85th in 2025. This means Indian passport holders can now access 57 countries visa-free, down from 60 destinations last year. That represents a gradual drop for India during the recent years when its position was at 84th in 2023 and 83rd in 2022.

Even with a drop, Farepayer Travels‘ domestic tour packages offer Indian tourists a whole range of destinations at affordable costs for hassle-free travel experiences, along with exciting international tour packages.

European Countries and U.S. Mobility Trends

European countries—France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—have fallen to 3rd position with visa-free access to 192 destinations. Finland and South Korea share this position. The UK, which ranked first in 2015, has fallen to 5th position with access to 190 destinations.
While the UAE broke into the top 10 rankings for the first time with visa-free access to 185 destinations, indicating its growing global connectivity.

The United States has continued the downward trend, now ranking 9th with 186 destinations. According to analysts, this decline in ranking is due to its isolationist policies and geopolitical tensions.

China’s Ascension and Global Disparities

All in all, China jumped to 60th place on the index by offering visa-free access to 58 destinations; indeed, China rises together with greater openness and a raised profile globally.

Yet, there are still striking disparities in mobility: Afghanistan has the lowest ranking, with visa-free access to only 26 countries, compared to 195 destinations for Singapore.

Future Global Travel Trends

• Schengen Visa Challenges: The rejection rate for Schengen visas among African countries is very disproportionate, with as high as 50% of the applications refused against a global average of 16%.
• Demand for Second Citizenship: It has sparked a desire for second citizenship, especially amongst US citizens, who accounted for 21% of applicants for investment migration in the year 2024.
• Digital Borders: New systems coming online include Europe’s ETIAS and the UK’s ETA, designed to make traveling easier by digitizing it.

Political and Economic Impacts on Travel

This will have an effect on global mobility on the account of a re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump because new travel bans and restrictions in trade that would surface consequently create a tight grip on geopolitics and eventually change the international scenario of traveling. Hence, Farepayer Travels offers curated travel solutions to the Indian traveler, who has to negotiate these changes by offering access to some of the world’s most amazing destinations through reasonably priced domestic and international tour packages.

Conclusion

The Henley Passport Index 2025 gives a glimpse into the dynamic global mobility landscape, with Singapore at the front and India behind. From a jolly domestic trip to an exciting international journey, Farepayer Travels promises you a smooth journey with exclusive tour packages curated just for you.