Henley Passport Index
noun

- a global ranking of national passports according to the number of countries their holders can access without a prior visa

- a measure of travel freedom and diplomatic influence, compiled quarterly by Henley & Partners using IATA/Timatic data

Investopedia

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The term "Henley" derives from Henley & Partners, the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm that created the index. The company name itself comes from its founding location and business model - "Henley" references the prestigious English town of Henley-on-Thames, known for wealth and exclusivity, while "Partners" indicates the firm's advisory partnership approach.

- 1997: Henley & Partners founded by Christian H. Kaelin
- 2005: Launch as "Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index"
- January 2018: Rebranded to "Henley Passport Index" for clarity and marketability

"Henley" derived from Old English heah (high) + leah (meadow/clearing)
“Passport" from French passeport (1540s); passer (to pass) + port (harbour/gateway)
"Index" from Latin indicāre meaning "to point out, indicate, show”, first used for systematic lists/catalogs in 1570s

The original name "Visa Restrictions Index" emphasized limitations, while "Passport Index" reframed the concept positively around travel freedom and mobility - a subtle but significant marketing shift that better reflected the aspirational nature of global citizenship services.

The term has now entered common usage in international relations, with phrases like "climbing the Henley rankings" becoming standard diplomatic and media terminology.

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THE HENLEY INDEX 2025

The Henley Index has come to be seen as a barometer of global soft power and diplomatic success. Singapore's retention of the top spot, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations, exemplifies how strategic diplomacy can yield tangible benefits for citizens. Meanwhile, the United States' drop to 10th place—it's lowest ranking in 20 years—reflects shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The index reveals striking disparities: while Singaporeans enjoy unprecedented travel freedom, Afghan, Syrian, and Iraqi passport holders remain severely restricted. India's remarkable ascent from 90th place in 2021 to 77th in 2025 demonstrates how emerging economies can rapidly improve their citizens' global mobility through strategic foreign policy initiatives.

Top rankings in 2025
- 1st: Singapore — access to 193 destinations
- 2nd: Japan and South Korea — access to 190 destinations
- 3rd (tie): Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Finland, Denmark, Ireland — access to 189 destinations

The German passport holds one of the most powerful positions globally, maintaining strong global mobility alongside several other EU countries.

Helga & Paul Smith 

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SYNONYMS

“passport ranking, visa-free index, mobility index, THE HENLEY INDEX, travel freedom ranking, global passport power list

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“The HENLEY INDEX shows that passport colour strongly determines life opportunities.”

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