Nicosia, Cyprus – January 9, 2025 – The latest Henley Passport Index reveals a slight dip in the power of the Cypriot passport, falling two places to 14th globally. While still offering considerable travel freedom, Cypriot passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 179 destinations, compared to the higher ranking countries offering access to over 190.
Singapore reigns supreme in the 2025 index, boasting visa-free access to an impressive 195 destinations. Japan secures the second spot with access to 193 destinations, while a cluster of European and Asian powerhouses – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, and South Korea – share third place, offering visa-free travel to 192 destinations.
The Cypriot passport's drop reflects the increasingly competitive global landscape of passport power. While 179 visa-free destinations still represent significant global mobility, the shift highlights the dynamic nature of international travel agreements and the ongoing efforts of nations to enhance their citizens' travel privileges.
Further up the rankings, a group of seven EU member states – Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden – hold the fourth spot, providing visa-free access to 191 destinations. Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom round out the top five, each offering visa-free travel to 190 destinations.
The index also sheds light on the stark disparities in global mobility. Afghanistan holds the least powerful passport, offering visa-free access to just 26 destinations, followed by Syria (27) and Iraq (31). These figures underscore the challenges faced by citizens of these nations in accessing international travel and opportunities.
The Henley Passport Index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The index is a valuable tool for assessing global mobility and understanding the relationship between passport power and economic opportunity.