US Falls Out of Top 10 on List of the World's Most Powerful Passports

The U.S. passport has fallen out of the top 10 most powerful passports globally for the first time in 20 years in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index, which ranks nations based on the number of destinations a traveler can visit without needing a visa. From a report: The U.S. ranking is on a steep downward trend, with the U.S. passport now in 12th spot, tied with Malaysia, having already fallen from seventh place last year to 10th place in July. A decade ago, the U.S. passport topped the index.

Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, said in a news release on Tuesday that the declining strength of the U.S. passport signaled a 'fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics.' Kaelin added: 'Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.'

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