The Indian passport continues to improve its global standing, climbing to the 75th position on the list of the world’s most powerful passports, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.
According to the data, the country’s passport was ranked 85th last year. The rise reflects improved travel access for Indians as India gains greater visa-free or visa-free access to several destinations around the world.
The Henley Passport Index regularly ranks various passports of nationalities around the world based on the number of destinations that citizens of a particular country can visit without a visa.
Growth of Indian passports over the years
Overall, India’s passport was slightly stronger than last year, but its performance over a longer period was quite uneven. While the recent improvement is a positive sign, India’s current position is still lower than where it was roughly a decade ago.
In fact, India’s best-ever ranking in terms of passport power was 71st, which was achieved in 2006. In recent years, the country has fallen to 80th in 2024 and then further to 85th the following year, showing how weak its travel attitude was before the latest recovery.
According to Henley Passport Index data, Indian citizens can now travel to 56 countries without a visa.
Top 10 countries with the strongest passports
— Singapore: The world’s most powerful passport, ranked first with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
— Japan and South Korea: Jointly in second place, each with access to 187 countries.
— Sweden and the United Arab Emirates: The two countries share third place and offer access to 186 destinations worldwide.
— European nations: Fourth place is shared by a large group of countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, with visa-free access to 185 countries.
— Austria, Greece, Malta and Portugal: These countries are in fifth place with 184 destinations.
— Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia: sixth place in the list with visa-free access to 183 countries.
— Australia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia and the United Kingdom: Together, these countries share seventh place with 182 destinations.
— Canada, Liechtenstein and Lithuania: ranked eighth in the list of powerful passports with access to 181 countries.
— Iceland: Ninth in the list with visa-free access to 180 countries worldwide.
— United States of America: America rounds out the top 10 in tenth place, offering its citizens access to 179 countries.