US not ranked among world’s top 10 ‘most powerful passports’ for first time in 20 years
Americans face travel woes as US passport strength declines
- The US passport has dropped out of the top 10 in the Henley Passport Index for the first time in the index's 20-year history.
- It now ranks 12th globally, tied with Malaysia, a significant decline from its No. 1 position in 2014 and 10th place earlier this year.
- American passport holders can access 180 out of 227 destinations worldwide without a prior visa.
- The decline is attributed to factors such as the loss of visa-free access to Brazil and exclusion from China's rapidly expanding visa-free list.
- Singapore holds the top spot for passport power, while the UK passport has also fallen to its lowest-ever position, now ranking eighth.