The U.S. has reclaimed a top-10 spot in the Henley Passport Index, a ranking of the world's most powerful passports, after dropping out of it for the first time in its 20-year history in 2025.
Henley & Partners, a London-based residence and citizenship advisory firm, issues the quarterly report, which scores passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. In the most recent ranking of 199 national passports, the U.S. passport jumped up two spots into 10th place. The U.S. last held the No. 1 spot in 2014.
According to International Air Transport Association data compiled by Henley & Partners, American passport holders can visit approximately 79% of the world without a visa, or 179 of 227 destinations globally. The U.S.' recent change in rankings is due to several factors.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on The Points Guy Articles.
