What the Henley Passport Index measures
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a pre-arranged visa. The score ranges not only from visa-free access but also includes places where travelers can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority upon arrival. Henley & Partners uses data from the International Air Transport Association to compile the index, covering 227 destinations but officially ranking 199 passports.
In practice, the index paints a picture of global mobility: how freely citizens can travel, work, or study abroad with minimal bureaucratic hurdles. It’s a useful barometer of soft power and openness in international relations, even if it doesn’t capture every nuance of visa policy or entry requirements for long stays.
Australia’s position: 7th in the latest ranking
Australia remains firmly in the top 10, ranked 7th in the current Henley Passport Index. That position translates to visa-free or easy-entry access to 185 destinations for Australian passport holders. When travel authorities permit visa-on-arrival, electronic travel authorizations, or entry with a visa on arrival, those destinations count toward the overall accessibility score used by Henley.
Australia’s ranking places it alongside other high-mobility economies such as Czechia, Malta, and Poland in this top tier. The country’s standing has fluctuated slightly over the years, but its current rank is a strong indicator of consistent international openness and reciprocal travel arrangements. The highest mark Australia has achieved since the index began in 2006 is 5th, reached in 2024, underscoring a peak in mobility that accompanied global shifts in visa policies and bilateral agreements.
What drove the US drop out of the top 10?
For the first time in two decades, the United States fell out of the top 10, slumping to 12th place with access to around 180 destinations. Several changes in visa policies and reciprocal arrangements help explain the decline.
Key factors include the loss of visa-free access to Brazil in April, driven by reciprocity concerns, and the fact that some countries such as China and Vietnam did not add the US to their visa-free lists. Adjustments by nations ranging from Myanmar to Papua New Guinea also shifted the balance, affecting the US’s standing even as other countries expanded or maintained their own openness.
Henley Passport Index founder Christian Kaelin framed the shift as part of a broader realignment: “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.” The index still counts visa reciprocity as a major driver: while the US affords visa-free access to 180 countries, it requires visas or other entry controls for some of those destinations that still limits the overall ease of travel compared with peers that have more reciprocal policies.
Where does the UK fit in the latest rankings?
The United Kingdom, which previously topped the index in 2015, sits at a lower rung in the current year, marking its own turn in the ongoing reshuffle of global mobility. The ranking landscape reflects how visa policies, security considerations, and diplomatic relations continually reshuffle which passports provide the easiest travel without prior planning.
What this means for travelers
For Australian residents planning international trips, the current ranking supports relatively straightforward travel planning to a wide array of destinations. However, travelers should always check the latest entry requirements for their destination—visa policies can change, and some destinations may require electronic travel authorizations or on-arrival visas depending on the traveler’s nationality and purpose of visit.
In a global mobility context, Australia’s sustained top-tier position reinforces the country’s open international posture and the value of maintaining reciprocal travel agreements with partners around the world. For the US, the shift signals a broader trend toward more nuanced mobility patterns where openness competes with other strategic and security considerations.
