India has made a significant leap in international passport strength since the beginning of 2025. According to the Henley Passport Index, India's passport ranking has improved from 85th position in January 2025 to 77th position now.
Passport Power of India Increases: A substantial improvement has been recorded in the global ranking of the Indian passport. According to the Henley Passport Index report of July 2025, India's ranking has risen from 85th to 77th place. This improvement is a result of India's growing diplomatic reach and ber bilateral agreements at the international level. Indian citizens can now avail visa-free or visa-on-arrival facilities in 59 countries.
Henley Passport Index: What is this ranking?
The Henley Passport Index is a prestigious global report that assesses how many countries a passport holder of a particular country can travel to without a visa or with visa-on-arrival. This data is based on official data from IATA (International Air Transport Association) and is updated every quarter.
Since January 2025, two new countries have provided visa-free entry facilities on Indian passports, bringing the total number of destinations Indian citizens can travel to without a prior visa to 59. Although this increase in number may seem small, it points towards India's global diplomatic success. Experts believe that India has achieved this feat through strengthened diplomatic relations, trade agreements, and active participation in global forums.
Singapore Remains at the Top, Japan and South Korea Also Ahead
In the 2025 report, Singapore has retained its top position. Singapore passport holders now have visa-free travel access to 193 out of 227 countries. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea are jointly in second place, with visa-free access to 190 destinations on their passports. The dominance of European countries is clearly visible in this ranking:
- Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain are in third place — citizens of these countries can travel visa-free to 189 countries.
- Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Luxembourg, and Sweden are in fourth place — their score is 188 destinations.
- New Zealand, Greece, and Switzerland are in fifth place — travel to 187 countries is possible with their passports.
Saudi Arabia's Ranking Improves, America Faces Threat
Saudi Arabia has also recorded an increase in its passport strength. The number of its visa-free destinations has now reached 91, which has improved its ranking from 58th to 54th position. On the other hand, the ranking of Western countries like America and Britain has declined. Britain is now in sixth place with access to 186 countries, while America has slipped to 10th place with 182 destinations. Experts believe that global political instability, changes in security policies, and the complexities of diplomatic relations are the reasons for this.
What's Next for India?
India's visa-free access is likely to improve further in the future, especially if India:
- Enters into more bilateral travel agreements
- Expands the e-visa system
- Increases cooperation in the fields of tourism, trade and education
It is expected that India's passport ranking may reach the top 50 in the coming years, provided there is continuous improvement in foreign policy and global treaties.
