For the first time in its 20-year history, the U.S. passport has dropped out of the top 10 most powerful passports globally, ranking 12th according to the latest Henley & Partners Passport Index.
The U.S. passport and Malaysia are currently ranked 12th on the index, which counts the number of places a passport holder can go without a visa. Stricter international visa laws, decreased reciprocity, and changing trends in international mobility are all blamed by analysts for the fall.
Countries like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea top the list because they have increased visa-free access through strong international relations and cooperation.
The fall of the U.S. passport shows a major change in global travel trends.
Nations that once enjoyed powerful travel privileges are now facing competition, as passport strength today depends more on active foreign policies and mutual agreements than on past influence.
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