The latest Henley Passport Index has indicated yet another decline in the strength of the country’s passport.
According to the 2025 rankings, South Africa’s passport has fallen to the 51st position among 199 global passports, losing its place in the global travel landscape.
The Henley Passport Index is renowned for its comprehensive ranking system, established over 19 years based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA).
This reputable index evaluates passport power by the number of destinations accessible to holders without a visa, covering 227 different travel destinations worldwide.
In the latest report, South Africans will now find themselves limited to access to only 103 destinations. This reduction comes after the country lost its visa-free entry to Nigeria, which now necessitates obtaining an e-visa for South African travellers wishing to visit, as first reported by The South African.
As the rankings reveal diminishing returns for South African passport holders, regional implications of this decline become evident. Travelling within the African continent where interconnectedness and ease of movement were seen as burgeoning, now encounters bureaucratic hurdles that slow cross-border travel.
In stark contrast to South Africa’s challenges, the index highlights the passport power of countries such as Singapore, which tops the list with an impressive 193 visa-free destinations.
Following closely are Japan and South Korea, both of which grant their citizens access to 190 countries without the burden of obtaining visas. European nations also dominate the rankings, with several countries, including Denmark, Finland, France, and Germany sharing the third spot, offering access to 189 nations.
The implications of these ranking shifts extend beyond inconvenience for individual travellers; they reflect broader economic and diplomatic relations.
As passport strength is often considered a reflection of a nation’s standing on the international stage, South Africa’s decline could signify the need for renewed efforts to strengthen its global ties and enhance its diplomatic relations.
For the citizens of South Africa, travelling abroad may require more planning and, potentially, increased costs, as the additional layer of electronic visas further complicates the process.
This latest report is a wake-up call for the nation to reevaluate its travel agreements and invest further in fostering relationships that could help regain its passport power.
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