Top 10 Passports in Latin America 2025 : Mobility, Opportunity, and Resilience

Unlike traditional rankings that count the number of visa-free destinations, the GCS Global Passport Index (GPI) evaluates passports on three pillars: 

1. Enhanced Mobility: Where citizens can travel, the type of entry granted, and the global appeal of those destinations. 

2. Quality of Life: Governance, social infrastructure, healthcare, and education. 

3. Investment Attractiveness: Opportunities for wealth creation, business development, and long-term security. 

By combining these factors, the index captures the true value of a passport, highlighting which countries empower their citizens to thrive globally. 

While Latin America has lagged behind Asia and Europe in previous years, the 2025 GPI shows some promising progress for the region. Factors like institutional trust, social investment, and quality of governance are strong predictors of passport power, allowing nations like Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay to increase in passport ranking.  

Some Caribbean countries, like Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia, have improved their passport rankings quickly through Citizenship by Investment programs.  

As Laura Madrid (Intelligence Unit Research Lead) points out: 

“Caribbean nations are doing their homework by strengthening transparency and accountability in their CBI programs and leveraging regional free-movement agreements; as a result, the strength of their passports has steadily increased in recent years.” 

In contrast, countries in Latin America, such as Chile and Uruguay, are rising more gradually because of stable governments, transparent policies, and strong social programs. 

Here is the ranking of Latin America’s leading passports in 2025, based on the Global Passport Index: 

Chile – 47 

The number one ranking passport in Latin America is Chile. The country offers a stable government, economic resilience, as well as social investment opportunities.  

The Chile passport offers holders fantastic global mobility, ranking 43rd on the Global Mobility Index, offering visa free access to 108 countries.  

Chile also ranks fantastically well on the Quality of Living Index, ranking 23rd out of 198 countries globally. Coupled with the range of investment opportunities, it’s clear to see why the Chile passport is leading the way for Latin American countries.  

Brazil—50 and Argentina—51 

Brazil and Argentina follow closely. Brazil’s GPI scores (43 Mobility, 81 Investment, 40 Quality of Living) show that a large economy with investment potential can translate into meaningful passport power. The Brazil Citizenship by Investment program offers a strategic way for investors to obtain Brazilian citizenship and a passport.  

Argentina (45 Mobility, 102 Investment, 33 Quality of Living) demonstrates that cultural and lifestyle factors, alongside moderate investment potential, can elevate a passport’s value even when mobility is on par with others. Additionally, Argentina is set to launch its very own Citizenship by Investment option in late 2025, early 2026, which could further propel the Argentinian passport in the future.  

Uruguay – 54 and Costa Rica – 58 

Uruguay (#54) and Costa Rica (#58) excel not just in mobility but in quality of life. Uruguay’s low corruption levels make it a safe, predictable environment for investors and expatriates. Its GPI scores (49 Mobility, 91 Investment, 29 Quality of Living) highlight that the passport’s value comes from predictability and lifestyle, not just global access. 

Additionally, Uruguay ranks 4th in the GCS Global Retirement Report, with the country offering a fantastic quality of life for retirees from across the globe.  

Costa Rica is a sustainability leader, offering strong healthcare and education systems that enhance passport value beyond migration opportunities. The GPI scores come in at (56 Mobility, 83 Investment, and 36 Quality of Living), showing that quality of living and strong governance help in elevating the Costa Rica passport ranking in 2025.  

Laura Madrid explains: 

“Countries like Costa Rica, Uruguay, and sometimes Chile, stand out in comparison to many peers, they often score better on security and stability, rule of law, education metrics. Also, technological adoption (e.g. in AI, digital government) is being explored as a lever” 

Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Colombia: The Rising Middle Tier 

• Mexico (#62): Mexico continues to expand visa-free access and offers strong economic opportunities for citizens, with the Mexican Citizenship by Investment program offering a straightforward pathway for investors. Mexico is a great place for investors and business owners. Its growing economy and low manufacturing costs make it attractive for producing goods, and the government supports entrepreneurship with investments in start-ups. 

• Panama (#63): A financial hub with attractive residency programs, including the Panama Residency by Investment program that make it a passport of choice for investors. This in addition to the territorial tax system, meaning residents are only taxed on income earned within the country, make Panama a top option.  

• Paraguay (#64): Increasingly recognized for its affordable living and business-friendly environment. One of the main benefits of the Paraguay passport is that the country is a member of Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR), which allows you to travel anywhere in South America without a visa. 

• Peru (#66): Provides improving governance, trade links, and cultural appeal. 

• Colombia (#75): Rounding up the top 10 passports in Latin America, Colombia benefits from institutional strengthening and global business connectivity. 

This middle tier of passports demonstrates that even countries outside the traditional mobility leaders can be advantageous for investors through governance, investment opportunities, and social stability. 

The Global Passport Index highlights several key trends for Latin America: 

1. Governance drives mobility: Political stability and institutional trust now matter as much as visa-free access. 

2. Investment potential is increasingly critical: Countries with beneficial tax systems and residency programs, like Panama and Paraguay, are gaining ground. 

3. Quality of life is a strategic asset: Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Chile show that passports linked to strong healthcare, education, and security increase global value for citizens. 

“The GPI shows that Latin America’s strongest performers are those pairing mobility with governance, investment-friendly frameworks like those in Panama and Paraguay, and high quality of life exemplified by Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Chile, proving that passport power today is shaped as much by stability and opportunity as by visa-free access.”—Laura Madrid (GCS Intelligence Unit Research Lead) 

In 2025, Latin America’s strongest passports are no longer measured solely by where they allow citizens to travel. They are evaluated based on mobility, opportunity, and quality of life, displaying a passport’s ability to serve as a strategic tool for global resilience. 

Chile remains the regional leader, but Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Panama are emerging as powerful alternatives for investors, digital nomads, and global citizens seeking stability and opportunity.  

However, for Latin American countries to improve or keep their passport rankings, they need to focus on stronger institutions, better governance, more formal and higher-quality jobs, investing in education and digital skills, easier access to funding for small businesses, and deeper integration into global trade.