Visas & Entry

The US passport ranks 10th now, and these are the trips that actually got harder

Singapore opens 192 countries visa-free. The US opens 179, after losing seven in a year. What changed for American travellers, and where is still…

By Bishnu Adhikari · Sep 20, 2026

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The American passport is 10th in the world, with visa-free access to 179 destinations, and it lost seven of them in a single year. Singapore sits first on 192. Japan and South Korea share second on 188. In 2006 the United States was joint first; it is now…

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Where the American passport sits

Tenth, and the gap at the top is now 13 destinations. The index counts the places a passport can enter without arranging a visa first.

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What actually changed

The clearest loss is Brazil, and it is about reciprocity rather than politics. Since 10 April 2025, American, Canadian and Australian passport holders have needed a visa for Brazil again, because Brazil asked those countries to drop visa requirements for…

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Does the ranking matter, really?

Only as a proxy for paperwork, cost and lead time. Nobody is refused a holiday because their passport is tenth rather than first. What the ranking measures is how often you must apply for something before you go, and each application is a fee, a form and a…

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Where it is still simple for Americans

Nepal is one of the easy ones, and it stayed easy. A US passport gets a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport: fill in the form, pay the fee, walk through. It costs US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 and US$125 for 90, and there is nothing to arrange before you…

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How many countries can Americans visit without a visa?

179, according to the Henley Passport Index for January 2026, which puts the United States 10th in the world.

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Do Americans need a visa for Brazil?

Yes. Since 10 April 2025 US passport holders need a visa again, applied for online. It costs US$80.90 and is valid for ten years with multiple entries, up to 90 days a year.

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Do Americans need a visa for Nepal?

Not in advance. Nepal issues a visa on arrival to US passport holders, at US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days or US$125 for 90 days. Sources: Henley & Partners, Henley Passport Index press release, 13 January 2026; CNN and Forbes reporting on the July 2026…

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