— https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-overtakes-japan-most-powerful-passport-094952622.html

Henley & Partners also researched the relationship between 1) a country’s openness to foreign visitors and 2) its citizens’ travel freedom to other countries.

The Henley Openness index ranks each country based on the number of nationalities it allows entry to without a prior visa. Small island nations and African states dominate the top 20 most open countries, while Afghanistan, North Korea, Papua New Guinea and Turkmenistan score zero, allowing no visa-free entry by any foreigner.

The US, with its (excellent) visa-free access to 184 destinations, ranks poorly on the Henley Openness Index, occupying the 78th position. This suggests that it does not reciprocate the same level of openness despite its citizens’ travel freedom.

Experts warn that the US’s limited extension of visa-free access and challenges in the visa system, including processing delays and high refusal rates, could impact its global competitiveness. The country may experience a decline in soft power, affecting business partnerships, tourism and its reputation as a world leader.