US passport drops from top 10 list, Singapore wins, China gains power

London: The US passport, once considered the world's most powerful, has dropped out of the Henley Passport Index's top 10 list for the first time. The US has now slipped to 12th place in the rankings, which began 20 years ago, sharing the position with Malaysia. This decline is the result of changes in global diplomacy and visa policies that have reduced the US passport's power.

Why did America's ranking fall?

According to the Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), US passport holders now have visa-free travel access to only 180 out of 227 countries. This number is significantly lower than the top rank a decade ago. Experts say that countries like Brazil ended visa-free travel agreements with the US because the US did not reciprocate. Furthermore, China and Vietnam also did not include the US on their visa-free lists. Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Somalia's new eVisa systems further limit the reach of the US passport.

America's visa policy is also the reason

America 's visa policies are also a major reason for this decline. While American citizens can travel to 180 countries without a visa, the US allows citizens of only 46 countries to visit the country without a visa. The US ranks 77th on the Henley Openness Index, indicating that it lags far behind in terms of hospitality. This gap is the largest in the US after Australia. Experts say that countries around the world are responding to America's strict policies in the same way.

Singapore tops, China passport ranking rises

Singapore ranks first with visa-free travel to 193 countries, while South Korea (190) and Japan (189) are second and third, respectively. China has significantly increased its passport strength over the past decade. China, which was ranked 94th in 2015, has now risen to 64th, adding visa-free travel to 37 more countries, bringing the total to 82. In contrast, China allows visa-free travel to citizens of 76 countries, 30 more than the United States. Recently, China also added Russia to its visa-free list. India ranks 85th, and its citizens enjoy visa-free travel to 57 countries.

Americans rush for second global citizenship

The diminishing strength of the US passport and global uncertainty have pushed Americans to seek other citizenships or residencies. Experts believe that if the US does not further open its visa policies, its passport could become even weaker. On the other hand, countries like Singapore, South Korea, and China can further advance in the world of global travel through their diplomatic strength and open policies.