Pacific Passports: Mobility gaps persist in 2025 rankings

Singapore has reclaimed its position as the most powerful passport in the world, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025.

New Zealand has visa-free access to 190 countries, but it dropped to fifth place from fourth in 2024. Australia is in sixth place.

The index ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), highlights growing disparities in global mobility.

While Singaporeans enjoy extensive travel freedom, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list with access to just 26 destinations, creating the largest mobility gap in the index’s 19-year history.

Pacific countries such as Vanuatu (92 visa-free destinations), Fiji (90 ), and Papua New Guinea (86) rank low, reflecting limited global mobility compared to countries in the top 10.

A list of other Pacific countries and their rankings is illustrated below.

Pacific countries, world rankings for their passport, and the number of Visa-free destinations they can access.