Asia's most powerful passports in 2025

By Hoang Phong July 23, 2025 | 03:04 pm PT

Passports of Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Photo courtesy of Henley & Partners

Singapore, Japan, and South Korea possess the most powerful passports in Asia, while Nepal, Yemen, and Afghanistan remain among the lowest-ranked in the region, according to the Henley Passport Index released on July 22.

Singapore maintained its regional as well as global lead with visa-free access to 193 out of 227 countries and territories, a slight dip from 195 destinations in the January version of the Henley Global Mobility Report, published by British citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners.

South Korea last year came in third place but now rose to share the second position with Japan, with visa-free access to 190 destinations.

The United Arab Emirates placed fourth in Asia, with its passport granting access to 184 destinations visa-free.

Malaysia ranked fifth, providing its passport holders visa-free entry to 181 destinations.

Other powerful passports in Asia include Hong Kong (169 destinations), Israel (168), Brunei (164), Qatar (112), Kuwait (100), Maldives (93), mainland China (83), Thailand (81), and Indonesia (74).

Nepal, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan have the least powerful passports in the region.

Vietnam's passport has climbed seven spots since the beginning of the year to rank 84th globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 51 out of 227 destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index released on July 22.

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 global passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa.

Updated in real-time throughout the year as visa policy changes take effect, the index has become a widely recognized tool for assessing global mobility.