New Zealand Passport Ranks Sixth Globally for Visa-Free Travel

The New Zealand passport has been ranked as one of the world’s most powerful, achieving a joint sixth place in the latest Henley Passport Index. Released in mid-October, the 2025 index indicates that New Zealand citizens enjoy visa-free access to 186 destinations, placing them alongside Greece, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. This ranking reflects the increasing importance of global mobility in today’s interconnected world.

The Henley Passport Index, which evaluates passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa, analyzed 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. Despite its strong position overall, New Zealand ranks 73rd in openness, sharing this rank with Benin, Ghana, and Guyana. This suggests that while New Zealanders can travel freely to many countries, only 61 nations grant visa-free access to New Zealand passport holders.

The disparity in rankings highlights a trend observed in other developed nations, including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States. According to 1News, the U.S. experienced a significant decline, falling out of the top ten for the first time to share 12th place with Malaysia, both scoring 180. Once regarded as the strongest passport globally in 2014, the U.S. has seen its status decline due to changing global travel dynamics and reduced reciprocity.

Globally, Singapore retained its top position, allowing its citizens visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea at 190 and Japan at 189. Australia ranks just below New Zealand, sharing seventh place with Czechia, Malta, and Poland, each with a score of 185.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, commented on the declining U.S. ranking, stating that it “signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics.” He emphasized that nations embracing openness and cooperation are advancing, while those relying on past privileges are being left behind.

Annie Pforzheimer, a senior associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, linked 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 faced a decline, reaching its lowest-ever position at joint eighth place with a score of 184. In contrast, China has emerged as one of the fastest climbers over the past decade, improving from 94th place in 2015 to 64th in the latest index. Dr. Tim Klatte of Grant Thornton China remarked that this rise reflects “significant geopolitical implications” and the nation’s increasing global engagement.

The Henley Passport Index is released quarterly and widely regarded as a key benchmark for global mobility. It serves as an important indicator of diplomatic relations, international cooperation, and soft power influence, showcasing how countries are navigating the complexities of global travel in an ever-changing landscape.