Philippines Drops Six Slots in Henley Passport Index, 79th Place

(PHILIPPINES) The Philippine passport fell six places in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, landing at 79th after ranking 73rd last year, with the latest list released this week. The shift affects Filipino travelers immediately, as the index measures how many destinations passport holders can enter without securing a visa in advance.

According to the index, the Philippine passport now offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 64 out of 227 destinations worldwide. The country shares its 79th position with Sierra Leone, underscoring how small changes in visa policies across several states can produce outsized effects on the ranking.

What the Henley Passport Index measures and why it matters

The Henley Passport Index has tracked global travel access for two decades, evaluating 199 passports using International Air Transport Association (IATA) data to count destinations open without prior visas.

Key points about the methodology:
– Visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, and automatically approved electronic travel authorities (eTAs) are treated as equivalent to visa-free access.
– The index counts how many doors a passport opens without prior permission, not the ease or speed of consular services.
– Because of this narrow focus, small bilateral changes can significantly alter rankings, especially for mid-ranked passports.

Important: The index does not assess consular service quality, processing times, or likelihood of approval — only the presence or absence of prior-visa requirements.

Recent trend for the Philippines (five-year snapshot)

The Philippines has shown volatility in recent years, moving between modest gains and losses:

1. 2020: 74th
2. 2021: 83rd (many borders in flux)
3. 2022: 77th
4. 2023: 78th
5. 2024: 73rd
6. 2025: 79th

VisaVerge.com analysis notes that such swings are common for mid-ranked passports, where a handful of bilateral adjustments can change rankings by several spots.

Global context — winners and notable shifts

• Top-ranked: Singapore — visa-free access to 193 destinations
• Second: South Korea — 190 destinations
• Third: Japan — 189 destinations

These top passports contrast with those in the 70s, highlighting the uneven nature of travel freedom: some passports open almost the whole world while others face more frequent paperwork and delays.

One major headline from 2025:
– The United States dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in the index’s 20-year history, falling to 12th place (tied with Malaysia) with access to 180 destinations.
– Causes cited include the loss of visa-free entry to Brazil (April 2025) due to lack of reciprocity, and exclusions or adjustments from China, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia, and Vietnam.

Practical impacts for Filipino travelers and families

For many Filipino families and professionals, the ranking has real-world consequences:
– It can determine whether a relative can attend a wedding without a consular appointment.
– A nurse taking an urgent overseas assignment might now face weeks-long visa waits.
– Business owners planning trade shows or supplier visits must check entry rules carefully.

Differences that matter in practice:
– Visa-free entry: usually quick immigration clearance.
– Visa-on-arrival: requires forms, sometimes fees, and separate queues — adds time and uncertainty.
– Prior visa required: may need documents, fees, and consular appointments.

These distinctions translate into time and cost — and can complicate last-minute travel or tightly scheduled connections.

Advice on passports, renewals, and official guidance

Filipinos who need to renew passports or request added validity should review official guidance on application steps, fees, and processing timelines. The Department of Foreign Affairs provides advisories on booking appointments, preparing documents, and collecting passports.

For authoritative instructions, consult the Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines) passport services:
https://dfa.gov.ph/passport

Note: Domestic passport issuance is separate from Henley’s methodology, but having a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity is the essential first step for any trip.

Operational considerations at airports and for planners

• The index counts visa-on-arrival the same as visa-free access, but operational experience differs.
• At busy airports, visa-on-arrival can mean longer queues and added uncertainty for connecting flights.
• For time-sensitive itineraries, travelers should build extra time where visa-on-arrival rules apply.

Practical checklist for planners:
– Verify entry rules well before departure.
– Check whether a destination is visa-exempt, offers visa-on-arrival, or requires an eTA.
– Confirm with airlines and official sources if unsure.

Regional and policy drivers

The Philippines’ mid-tier placement reflects a mix of openness and remaining barriers. Regional comparisons show that decades of reciprocal arrangements have benefited passports in the top ranks.

Factors that influence future ranking changes:
– Bilateral visa-waiver deals and reciprocity
– Regional alignments and trade/security negotiations
– Elections and shifts in foreign policy

Even small additions — one or two destinations — can elevate a mid-ranked passport multiple spots if peers remain static or lose access.

Takeaways and recommended actions

• The 2025 decline to 79th underscores how competitive and dynamic the landscape is.
• For Filipino travelers: verify entry requirements well before travel, consult official sources, and allow extra time when visa-on-arrival applies.
• Travel advisors recommend monitoring changes in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where visa policies can change quickly.

VisaVerge.com and other analysts note the 2025 results reflect broader changes in reciprocity and regional alignments that determine which travelers arrive without prior paperwork.