US Falls Out of Top 10 on List of the World's Most Powerful Passports (msn.com)
- Reference: 0179800534
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/10/15/1713252/us-falls-out-of-top-10-on-list-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-passports
- Source link: https://www.msn.com/en-in/travel/travel-preparation/us-falls-out-of-world-s-top-10-most-powerful-passports-for-the-first-time/ss-BB1raxEb
> The U.S. ranking is on a steep downward trend, with the U.S. passport now in 12th spot, tied with Malaysia, having already fallen from seventh place last year to 10th place in July. A decade ago, the U.S. passport topped the index.
>
> Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, said in a news release on Tuesday that the declining strength of the U.S. passport signaled a "fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics." Kaelin added: "Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind."
[1] https://www.msn.com/en-in/travel/travel-preparation/us-falls-out-of-world-s-top-10-most-powerful-passports-for-the-first-time/ss-BB1raxEb
[2] https://www.henleyglobal.com/newsroom/press-releases/henley-global-mobility-report-oct-2025
This is called (Score:2, Troll)
This is called "winning".
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Honestly, more nations should require visas from American and visa-versa. It's good for globalization to be on the decline.
Translation:
"I want my country to stagnate and fall behind. I want to live in a provincial shithole."
Context (Score:4, Insightful)
Papua New Guinea
Myanmar
Somalia
Vietnam
Brazil
are the countries listed in the TFA that took away visa-free travel rights for US passport holders pushing the rating down.
I, for one, am crushed for needing to get a visa to travel to some sh!thole countries. /s
Re: (Score:2)
> On top of the cost and time required to go to the embassy and get the visa? If you don't live in a major city it's completely impractical.
That isn't a requirement for a lot of countries. In many cases, you can apply with a travel agent and your passport is sent to a consulate by courier. You only need to visit the consulate yourself if you can't be without your passport for a few days.
Re: (Score:2)
> I, for one, am crushed for needing to get a visa to travel to some sh!thole countries. /s
Gosh. You just belittled the countries of a total of about 400M people.
You are at risk of tarnishing your good reputation as a gentleman.
Improper Impression (Score:4, Informative)
Though they rank the U.S. as 12th, there are numerous nations tied for higher numbers.
This puts 38 nations ahead of the U.S. in terms of visa free access to other nations.
Re:Improper Impression (Score:4, Insightful)
Also, the ranking is flawed because most western nations these days require a pre-travel electronic authorisation of some sort, which basically is the equivalent to a visa (you cant travel to the country without one).
For example, the US has a Visa Waiver Program with many countries, which technically means you can travel to the US without applying for a visa.
But, since 2007 you have needed either an ESTA or an actual issued visa before you can travel to the US by sea or air.
And the ESTA requirement was expanded to travel by land in 2022, basically meaning there is no way to arrive at the US without prior approval - so in actuality, the ESTA is now a visa for the US, but not one which allows actual entry, just the possibility of entry.
Practical Impression (Score:2)
True, but when you actually look at the differences between where a UK (ranked 8th), Canadian (ranked 9th) or US passport will get you without a visa let's just say it's not a list of places I plan to be visiting anytime soon but at least I still get to feel morally superior! ;-)
A decade ago, the U.S. passport topped the index. (Score:2)
Now refresh my memory, who became president close to a decade ago?
Why worry (Score:2)
You probably can't even get a US passport now (if you haven't got one already) due to the government shutdown.
Re:Reading TFA (Score:4, Informative)
It is about the number of countries you can visit without requiring a visa.
The top three are Singapore, South Korea and Japan in that order, then it's a bunch of EU countries. This list has 5 countries in 4th, 7 more in 5th and so on - meaning there are way more than 11 countries ahead of the US.
I was just looking at countries where I'd need a visa and basically they are not places I have any interest in visiting anyway.
Re: Reading TFA (Score:1)
Bruh. Thatâ(TM)s literally how passports work. They work with visas, and visa free travel agreements.
Did you think TFA was going to be about how many grams the cardstock the cover is made out of can support? Seriously, what do you think âoea powerful passportâ means? Itâ(TM)s where you can travel without visas.