US passport slips to 10th globally despite gaining destinations

The U.S. passport now grants access to 180 destinations without requiring a prior visa, marking an increase from ten years ago. However, this improvement has not prevented the passport from falling six places in the global rankings, now sitting at 10th position. This relative decline is attributed to other countries significantly expanding visa-free travel options for their citizens.

According to the July update of the Henley Passport Index, the U.S. passport shares the tenth spot with Iceland, both offering visa-free entry to 180 destinations. Despite this access, the U.S. document ranks behind 36 other countries whose citizens enjoy greater international mobility.

Singapore tops the index with its citizens able to travel to 192 destinations visa-free, 12 more than the U.S. Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are tied for second place with 188 destinations. In 2016, the U.S. passport was ranked fourth, providing access to 174 territories without a visa.

Forbes suggests the relative decline is linked to a lack of reciprocity. The U.S. government grants visa-free entry to citizens of only 46 nationalities, placing it 73rd on the Henley Openness Index. Furthermore, the U.S. is among the few major powers whose citizens still require a visa to travel to China.

The Henley Passport Index analyzes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Association and public sources. Points are awarded for destinations accessible without a visa, while those requiring a traditional or electronic visa do not contribute to the score. The analysis considers standard, valid passports for short-term tourism or business stays.