The Indian passport has registered a significant improvement in global rankings, climbing 10 positions to reach 75th place in the Henley Passport Index 2026. This development marks a substantial enhancement in travel freedom for Indian citizens, making international travel more accessible than before.
According to the latest Henley Passport Index 2026 report, Indian passport holders can now travel to 56 countries either without a visa, through visa-on-arrival facilities, or via e-visa options. This represents a notable expansion in travel opportunities for Indian nationals across Caribbean islands, African nations, and various Asian destinations.
Understanding the Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is globally recognized as the most reliable measure of passport strength. It utilizes data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to determine how freely citizens of different countries can travel internationally. A higher ranking indicates greater ease of international mobility for that country’s passport holders.
The index evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. This measurement has become increasingly important in an interconnected world where international travel for business, education, and tourism continues to grow.
Singapore Leads Global Rankings
While India has made remarkable progress, Singapore continues to hold the top position in the global passport rankings. Singaporean passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 192 countries worldwide, representing the highest level of travel freedom globally.
Japan and South Korea share the second position, with their citizens able to enter 187 countries without prior visa arrangements. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates occupy the third spot, offering access to 186 destinations.
The fourth position is dominated by European nations, with 12 countries including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Norway. Citizens of these nations can travel visa-free to 185 countries.
Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal hold the fifth position with access to 184 countries. Major economic powers like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and the United States feature between the sixth and tenth positions. American passport holders, specifically, can travel to 179 countries without advance visa requirements.
Historical Context of Indian Passport Rankings
The Indian passport’s ranking has experienced considerable fluctuation over the past decade. Last year, India slipped to 85th position, making this year’s jump to 75th place particularly significant. However, this is not India’s best-ever ranking—in 2006, the Indian passport held 71st position globally.
Despite not reaching a record high, the 10-position improvement represents positive momentum and indicates growing international acceptance of Indian travelers. This enhancement reflects India’s strengthening diplomatic relationships and increased global engagement.
Benefits for Indian Travelers
The improved ranking translates into tangible benefits for Indian citizens planning international travel. The hassle of securing advance visas for 56 destinations has been eliminated, making spontaneous travel plans more feasible. Indian travelers can now visit these countries with significantly reduced paperwork and waiting times.
For business travelers, students, tourists, and families, this development means greater flexibility in travel planning. The visa-on-arrival and e-visa options available at many destinations further simplify the travel process, reducing both time and financial costs associated with traditional visa applications.
Regional and Global Implications
India’s passport ranking improvement comes at a time when global mobility patterns are evolving. The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly restricted international travel, but countries are now reopening their borders and reassessing visa policies.
For India, with its large diaspora spread across continents and growing economic influence, enhanced passport strength serves multiple purposes. It facilitates business connections, educational opportunities, and cultural exchanges while also boosting tourism and international cooperation.
The ranking also reflects India’s diplomatic efforts and bilateral relationships with various nations. Visa-free or simplified visa arrangements typically result from reciprocal agreements and mutual trust between countries.
Looking Ahead
While the 75th position represents progress, there remains considerable room for improvement. Countries in the top 20 enjoy significantly greater travel freedom, with access to 170 or more destinations without visa requirements.
For Indian policymakers, further improvements in passport rankings would require continued diplomatic engagement, strengthening of bilateral ties, and possibly reciprocal visa facilitation agreements with more countries. Economic growth, political stability, and enhanced security cooperation often correlate with improved passport strength.
The travel industry in India stands to benefit from these developments as well. Easier international travel can stimulate outbound tourism, benefit airline industries, and create opportunities for travel-related businesses.
