Moving overseas advice
Strongest passport in the world 2025
Key takeaways
- The strongest passport in the world in 2025 is Singapore (according to the Henley Passport Index), as holders can visit 192 countries visa-free.
- The weakest passport in the world in 2025 is Afghanistan (according to the Henley Passport Index), as holders can only visit 24 countries visa-free.
- A diplomatic passport is a special passport issued by governments to diplomats and high-ranking officials for official travel.
What is the strongest passport in the world?
The strongest passport in the world is Singapore, according to the Henley Passport Index, followed by South Korea, Japan, Germany, and Italy.
Henley & Partners, a UK-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, compiled the index using in-house research and exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Founded in 2005, The Henley Passport Index assesses the travel freedom of 199 passports by ranking destinations they can travel to without a visa.
As of 2025, Singapore passport holders can access 192 out of 227 (84.5%) worldwide destinations without needing to apply for a visa. The island city-state also topped the list in 2019, 2021, and 2022 and was tied for first with France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain in 2024.
The strength of Singapore's passport reflects its consistent political stability, extensive diplomatic outreach, and position as a global financial hub. The Southeast Asian nation benefits from its role as a key trade partner, high levels of security, and low risks of irregular migration: in 2024 alone, Singapore denied entry to more than 33,000 foreigners. As a result, Singapore's passport holders face exceptionally low barriers to visiting, working, studying or moving overseas.
Top 10 strongest passport in the world
The top 10 strongest passports in the world are Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria, Belgium, and Denmark, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025.
Asian countries occupy the first three spots of the top ten, while European nations comprise the remaining seven. In fact, 16 of the top 20 are from Europe, with only one place from Australasia: New Zealand. Canada is the highest-ranking North American country at 32 (overall joint 10th). In South America, Chile is the top entry at 43 (overall 15th), while in Africa, Seychelles ranks highest at 55 (overall joint 24th).
Below is the complete Henley Passport Index 2025 top 10 and the number of countries they can visit visa-free:
Weakest passport in the world
The weakest passport in the world is Afghanistan, according to the Henley Passport Index. Passport holders of the landlocked Asian nation can enjoy visa-free visits to just 24 out of 227 (10.5%) worldwide destinations.
Such limited mobility is a result of decades of political instability, conflict, and weak diplomatic ties. Consequently, most countries are reluctant to offer easy entry, leaving Afghan passport holders facing higher costs and lengthy application processes.
For similar reasons, countries such as Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria also rank near the bottom of the index. Political instability, armed conflict, and fragile governance are ongoing in places like Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. A lack of diplomatic influence reduces opportunities for reciprocal visa agreements with Pakistan and Palestine.
Afghan passport holders can mostly travel visa-free to small island nations and less-developed countries. These include several African nations (Burundi, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda), Asia-Pacific islands (Cook Islands, Palau, Samoa), a few countries in South and Southeast Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives), and Haiti in the Caribbean. These destinations are geographically remote, economically underdeveloped, or small states with relatively open borders.
What is a diplomatic passport?
A diplomatic passport is a special passport issued by governments to diplomats and high-ranking officials for official travel. It designates the holder as a representative of their country, often granting diplomatic immunity, reduced visa requirements, and fast-track border processing.
Diplomatic passports differ from regular passports in colour, design, and markings. They are commonly black, red, or green and labelled "DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT". Many also include special emblems, symbols, or inscriptions. Inside, the pages often feature watermarks or special designs, distinguishing them from ordinary passports.
In the United States, the Department of State issues diplomatic passports to diplomats, high-ranking government officials, and select employees of organisations travelling overseas to work on official business. They have a black cover and feature the US coat of arms.
In Turkey, diplomatic passports have a dark green cover. In addition, Turkey issues a Service Passport to government employees, national athletes, and others who represent the state on official duties.
In China, the government issues diplomatic passports to diplomats and senior government officials travelling on official state business. They have a dark red cover and are labelled with the national emblem. China also issues Service e-Passports to government employees travelling abroad on official duties who do not hold full diplomatic status.
Diplomatic passports differ from regular passports in colour, design, and markings.
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