Context:

According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, India’s passport has improved significantly, climbing eight places to reach the 77th rank, up from 85th in 2024. This rise comes despite only a marginal increase in the number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations — from 57 to 59.

What Is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index is a globally recognised ranking that measures the strength of a country’s passport based on the number of destinations its holders can access without needing a prior visa. These include visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorisation (e-visa) access.

• Published by: Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm
• Data Source: International Air Transport Association (IATA), supplemented with in-house research
• Coverage: Evaluates access to 227 destinations worldwide

The index is widely used to assess the travel freedom, diplomatic relationships, and international standing of countries. A higher ranking reflects greater global mobility and stronger bilateral visa agreements.

India’s Passport Performance in 2025:

• India’s passport has risen eight spots in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, moving from 85th to 77th place. This improvement comes with a modest increase in visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, now available in 59 countries, up from 57 last year.
• New additions include Philippines and Sri Lanka. Indian citizens now enjoy visa-free entry to countries like Malaysia, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Thailand, and visa-on-arrival or e-visa access in places such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Macao, and the Maldives.
• Historically, India ranked highest at 71st in 2006 and lowest at 90th in 2021. The recent rise reflects stronger bilateral ties, a growing global economic footprint, and wider adoption of digital visa systems.

Global Trends in 2025 Passport Rankings:

The 2025 rankings highlight notable shifts in global mobility patterns. Asian and European countries dominate the top spots, while some traditional powers have declined in relative strength.

Top Performers:

• 1st: Singapore — visa-free access to 193 destinations
• 2nd: Japan and South Korea — access to 190 destinations each
• 3rd: Shared by several European countries — France, Germany, Italy — with access to 189 destinations

Major Climbers:

• UAE: Rose from 42nd to 8th over the last decade
• China: Improved from 94th to 60th since 2015
• Saudi Arabia: Now allows travel to 91 destinations, an increase of 4 in 2025

Declining Passport Powers:

• USA: Dropped to 10th place
• UK: Fell to 6th place, down from 5th in 2024

Lowest Ranked:

• Afghanistan: Remains at the bottom, with visa-free access to just 25 destinations

Conclusion:

India's enhanced standing reflects progress in areas like digital visa systems and economic engagement. Although still behind top-performing passports, India’s direction is positive. Expanding diplomatic ties, negotiating reciprocal travel agreements, and modernising consular services will be crucial in continuing this upward momentum. For Indian travellers — whether students, professionals, or tourists — this trend brings increased opportunities and greater mobility across the globe.