For the first time in 10 years, the South African passport has re-entered the top 50 of the Henley Passport Index. It now ranks 48th out of 199 passports, up five places from 2024.
South African passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 103 destinations, although the passport still does not grant visa-free entry to the Schengen Area – a group of 29 European countries, including 25 European Union member states and four non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) that allow free movement between their borders.
The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), measures the number of destinations to which a passport allows access without a prior visa. It is widely used as a benchmark for global mobility, with implications for travel freedom, international trade, and diplomatic strength.
The index also helps businesses manage workforce mobility and gives individuals a clear view of how far their passport can take them.
Top and bottom of the global rankings
Singapore tops the 2025 index with visa-free access to 193 out of 227 global destinations. Japan and South Korea follow in second place with access to 190 destinations. Seven EU countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain – share third place, with 189 destinations.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index in 99th place, with its citizens able to travel to only 25 countries without a prior visa.
Winners and losers
The United Kingdom and the United States have each slipped one position since January. The UK is now ranked sixth, with access to 186 destinations, while the US, ranked 10th, offers access to 182. This marks a continuing decline for both countries, which held the top spot in 2015 (UK) and 2014 (US). The US is now on the verge of falling out of the top 10 entirely for the first time in the index’s 20-year history.
India has seen the largest jump, rising eight places from 85th to 77th, despite adding only two visa-free destinations to reach a total of 59. Saudi Arabia made the biggest gain in visa-free access, adding four new destinations and climbing to 54th place, with 91 visa-free entries.
Dr Christian Kaelin, the chairperson of Henley & Partners and inventor of the index, said the latest results show global mobility is becoming more competitive.
“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 in such efforts.”
UAE and China drive mobility gains
Looking at longer-term trends, more than 80 countries have improved their passport ranking by at least 10 places over the past decade. The average number of visa-free destinations globally has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025.
The United Arab Emirates is the standout performer, climbing from 42nd to eighth place over 10 years. China has also risen 34 places, from 94th to 60th, despite lacking visa-free access to the Schengen Area. China’s gains have been boosted by a major policy shift: since 2019, it has increased the number of nationalities that can enter without a visa from fewer than 20 to 75.
In 2025 alone, China added visa-free access for several Gulf nations – including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia – and South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Recent access granted to some European states has also contributed to the continued dominance of European passports in the rankings.
Legacy powers fall behind
Although most countries have gained ground, 16 have dropped in the index over the past decade. Venezuela is the biggest faller, sliding from 30th to 45th. It is followed by the US (-8), Vanuatu (-6), the UK (-5), and Canada (-4).
Henley & Partners’ chief executive, Dr Juerg Steffen, said these shifts reflect a broader change in the global order.
“Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally,” he said. “As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we’re witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security. Your passport is no longer just a travel document – it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships.
“In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.”
