New Zealand Passport Ranked Sixth in Henley Passport Index

The New Zealand passport has been ranked as one of the world’s most powerful, securing a joint sixth position on the recently released Henley Passport Index. This index evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without needing a visa. The latest rankings, published in mid-October, indicate that New Zealand citizens enjoy visa-free access to 186 destinations.

Alongside New Zealand in this ranking are countries such as Greece, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. The report assessed 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations to compile its global mobility rankings. Despite this strong overall score, New Zealand ranks 73rd in openness, a position it shares with Benin, Ghana, and Guyana. This implies that while New Zealanders can travel freely to many countries, only 61 nations offer visa-free access to New Zealand passport holders.

Experts suggest that this disparity reflects trends observed in other developed nations, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and Japan. According to the index, Singapore retains the top position, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 destinations. Following Singapore are South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189 destinations.

New Zealand’s ranking places it just above Australia, which shares the seventh position with Czechia, Malta, and Poland, each granting access to 185 destinations. At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan continues to hold the lowest rank, allowing access to only 24 destinations, followed by Syria at 26 and Iraq at 29.

The United States has experienced a notable decline, falling out of the top 10 for the first time and sharing 12th place with Malaysia, both scoring 180. Once the strongest passport globally in 2014, the U.S. has slipped due to changing global travel dynamics and diminished reciprocity. Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, stated that the declining U.S. ranking “signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics.” He emphasized that “nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”

Annie Pforzheimer, a senior associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, connects the decline in U.S. passport strength to internal political shifts. She noted, “Even before a second Trump presidency, U.S. policy had turned inward. That isolationist mindset is now being reflected in America’s loss of passport power.”

The United Kingdom also witnessed a drop, reaching its lowest-ever position at joint eighth with a score of 184. In contrast, China has made significant strides over the past decade, climbing from 94th place in 2015 to 64th in 2025. Dr. Tim Klatte of Grant Thornton China indicated that this improvement carries “significant geopolitical implications” reflecting the nation’s increasing global engagement.

The Henley Passport Index, published quarterly, is widely recognized as a crucial benchmark for assessing global mobility. It serves as a significant indicator of countries’ diplomatic relations, international cooperation, and soft power influence. As countries continue to navigate the complexities of global travel, the dynamics reflected in this index will likely shape international relations and individual mobility for years to come.