The Sri Lankan passport has fallen to 97th place in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025 Global Ranking, released on September 11, 2025.
Earlier this year, Sri Lanka had shown progress, climbing from 96th in 2024 to 91st place. However, in the latest update, the country has slipped back, now ranking one spot lower than in 2024.
Sri Lanka’s visa-free score has also declined, dropping from 42 destinations to 41, bringing it on par with Iran, which shares the 97th position. The index covers a total of 105 rankings.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
While Sri Lanka experienced a setback, other major countries also saw declines. The United States passport fell to 12th place, its lowest ranking in two decades, down two spots from July.
At the top, Singapore continues to hold the title of the world’s most powerful passport, followed closely by South Korea and Japan. At the bottom end, Afghanistan remains the weakest passport, offering the least travel freedom.
The Henley Passport Index assesses 199 passports against 227 destinations, drawing on two decades of historical data and expert analysis. It has become a key reference for governments, policymakers, and global citizens.
