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Indian Passport Ranking in 2026 as per Henley and Global Passport Index
As of July 2025, India’s current passport rank is 77, where valid passport holders can travel visa-free or by availing a visa-on-arrival to 70+ destinations, according to the Henley & Partners Passport Index.
According to The Passport Index, India’s current passport rank is 73, allowing valid passport holders to travel to 75 countries either visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival.
Most of the popular passport indices have published their passport rankings for the year 2025 and avid travellers are scrambling to find out how India has fared in them!
With countries relaxing the covid norms, knowing the Indian passport rank is certainly an important affair for those who frequently visit other countries – be it for business or leisure.
In this article, we will inform you about the passport rank of India, the list of visa-free countries Indian passport holders can travel to, the top and least passport-ranking countries.
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What is the Passport Ranking Index and How it Works?
- Henley Passport Index - Established in 1997, Henley & Partners is a global leader that ranks world passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The Henley Passport Index compares the visa-free access of 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations.
- Global Passport Power Rank - The Passport Index, established by Arton Capital in 2014, is reputed as the go-to resource for information about passport power worldwide. It includes 199 passports and ranks them based on their Mobility Score (MS).
Let’s take a look!
Quick Summary
AI Generated
- India’s passport ranks 77th in the Henley Passport Index and 73rd in the Global Passport Index as of July 2025, allowing visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to over 70 countries.
- Over the last 10 years, India’s passport rank has gradually improved, with recent gains in both major global indices.
- Popular visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for Indian passport holders include Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
- Travel insurance remains crucial for Indian travellers, especially since many visa-required countries mandate it for entry, and it offers protection from medical, baggage, or trip-related issues abroad.
Indian Passport Ranking in 2026
When it comes to passports, people either view them as their gateway to the entire world or as a barrier to their travel freedom. Passport Ranking is a system where a particular country’s passport is ranked according to the number of countries their holders can visit without applying for a visa.
As mentioned previously, we refer to two major indices for this data: The Henley Passport Index and The Global Passport Index.
The method of calculation for both indices differs, hence the difference in ranking positions. Both indices consider 199 countries' visa access for the Indian passport.
For Henely Passport Index:
The passport is given a score of 1 in cases where:
- No visa is required
- Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) is available
- Visitor’s permit is available or,
- An electronic travel authority (ETA) is available.
A score of 0 is allotted if the passport holder must apply for an e-visa for countries that offer e-visas to Indians, or if a mandatory visa is required before departure. Similarly, no score is given if pre-departure government approval is needed for visa-on-arrival countries for Indians.
For Global Passport Index:
To determine the individual rank of each passport, a three-tier method is applied:
- Mobility Score (MS): This includes visa-free (VF), visa on arrival (VOA), eTA and e-visa (if issued within 3 days)
- Visa Free portion of their score vs Visa-on-Arrival
- United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index 2018 (UNDP HDI) is used as a tiebreaker.
As determined by international relations and diplomatic ties, here is India’s passport rank over the last 10 years:
Disclaimer - This data was updated in July 2025.
From the above table, we can see that the current rank of India’s passport according to the Henley Passport Index is 77, allowing Indian passport holders to travel to 59 countries visa-free! According to the Global Passport Index, India’s passport is ranked at 73rd position. The current mobility score of Indian passport is 75, allowing Indian passport holders to travel to 30 countries visa-free!
Now that we have learned about India’s position in the passport rankings, let us also take a glance at the top 10 most and least powerful passports in the world according to the two indices mentioned above.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World in 2026
The following table illustrates the first ten rank holders of the most powerful passports in the world in 2026. The list curated is as per the benefits they offer their passport holders in terms of freedom to travel without applying for a visa before their trips begin.
In 2025, as per the Henley Passport Index, Singapore ranks first with visa-free access to 193 countries.
However, due to separate metrics implemented by the Global Passport Index, the rankings of this index differ from that of the Henley Passport Index.
As per the GPI, the passports of the United Arab Emirates offer its holders maximum mobility freedom around the world.
Disclaimer - This data was updated in July 2025.
10 Least Powerful Passports in the World in 2026
While visa-free travel is a luxury, there are a few passports that offer their holders with limited access to such privileges.
The following is a table illustrating the rankings of the least powerful passports as per the Henley Passport Index and the Global Passport Index:
Disclaimer - This data was updated in July 2025.
As per the rankings determined by both these indices, Syria and Afghanistan passports allow travellers the least freedom in visa-free international travel.
To know more about Indian passport ranking in the world for 2025 and beyond, keep an eye on the above-mentioned indices.
List of Visa-Free and Visa on Arrival Countries for Indians
The Indian Passport Rank is determined by the number of countries Indian passport holders can easily travel to by availing of either a visa on arrival, visitors permit, an eTA or travel visa free! There are 70+ countries where Indian passport holders can travel hassle-free!
In the table below, we’ve mentioned the list of visa-free and visa on arrival countries Indian passport holders can travel to, along with the permitted stay duration, cost and other important information.
Get International Travel Insurance for Your Trip Abroad
Now that you know the rank of the Indian passport and which countries Indian passport holders can visit easily – you are one step closer to finalising your trip abroad.
However, it would be incomplete if you did not have International Travel Insurance. If you’re wondering why you need international travel insurance, we’ve listed out a few points below:
Flight-related issues: The first unfortunate event that might occur is your flight getting cancelled or delayed. In such cases, you don’t have to worry about all the money lost, not getting a refund or the additional expenses you might have to incur. Your travel insurance can help compensate for that loss.
Loss of belongings: Sometimes you can lose your baggage, travel documents or have your wallet stolen. Whatever the case, travel insurance has coverages in place that can help you navigate through the situation without too much stress.
Medical benefits: When you are abroad, there are significantly high chances of needing to visit the hospital. Be it an accident or illness, the cost of hospitalization abroad can burn a hole in your pocket. International travel insurance comes with medical benefits that ensure your protection in such cases.
Mandatory requirements: When applying for a visa to some countries, travel insurance is mandatory documents you must produce. Countries such as USA, UAE, Central Europe, Qatar, Nepal and many more require you to have a mandatory travel insurance document.
There are many more reasons and benefits of having international travel insurance. Keeping your comfort and requirements as a priority, Digit’s International Travel Insurance offers you some unique and important coverages that will benefit you in times of need. Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t forget to avail of International Travel Insurance before you take off.
FAQs about Indian Passport Ranking & Passport Index
What are some of the other indices that rank passports in the world?
There are several other indices like the Bayat Migration Index, Latitude’s Country Access Tool, Nomad Capitalist Passport Index, etc. that rank passports.
Nonetheless, the Henley Passport Index and Global Passport Index are the most followed ones.
What is the Indian Passport’s current standing when compared to other passports?
When compared to other countries, India’s passport rank is generally considered towards the lower end of the spectrum.
While it allows holders a certain degree of freedom pertaining to visa-free travel, there are 168 countries as of 2025 for which Indian passport holders need to obtain a visa before their trip commences.
What determines how powerful a passport is?
Most of the time, the mobility score—or, more simply, the number of countries or territories you may enter without a visa with a particular passport—has been used to rank the most powerful passports.
Which type of passport is best in India?
A white passport is regarded as the most powerful passport out of all the others. Only officials of the Indian government are eligible for the white passport.
What are some challenges of the Indian passport?
Since the Indian passport ranks at 77 according to Henley Passport Index, some challenges faced by passport holders are extensive visa application procedures and limited travel opportunities.
Is a US passport strong?
Yes, a US passport is considered vital. It offers visa-free access or visa-on-arrival access to 186 countries as per Henley Passport Index 2025. It consistently ranks within the top 10 of the powerful passports.
How is the Indian passport ranked compared to its neighbouring countries?
Compared to the neighbouring countries, India’s passport rank is higher up. While Indian passport holders can travel to 35 countries visa-free, China has 141 visa-free countries (including visa on arrival countries).
However, Pakistan has only 33 visa-free countries, Sri Lanka has 44 visa-free countries, Nepal has 39 visa-free countries and Bangladesh has 40 visa-free countries as of January 2025 according to The Henley Passport Index.
Which countries are allowing visa free entry for Indian passport holders?
Indian passport holders can travel to 59 countries completely visa-free! Some of the popular countries Indians can travel to without a visa are Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Oman, Mauritius, Macao and Iran.
Which countries are giving visa-on-arrival for Indians citizens?
Indian passport holders can visit 37 countries with a visa-on-arrival. Some of these countries are Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Jordan, Cambodia, Bahrain, etc.
Which countries offer e-visa for Indians?
Indian passport holders can visit 37 countries with an e-visa. Some of these countries are Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Myanmar, Bahrain, Australia, Kenya, Morocco, Colombia, Russia etc.
Is Dubai visa-free for Indian passport holders?
No, Indians need to apply for a visa to enter Dubai. The Indian passport and other necessary travel documents must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date.
Which country has the strongest passport in the world?
As per Henley Passport Index in July 2025, there is only one country that ranks on the number 1 position of strongest passports in the world which is Singapore.
Which country has the weakest passport in 2025?
Afghanistan has the weakest and lowest passport rank in the world as of July 2025. According to Henely Passport Index, Afghanistan’s passport is ranked 99th position with easy entry access into only 25 countries.
What is the difference between the Henley Passport Index and Global Passport Index?
The Henley Index is based purely on visa-free and visa-on-arrival access, while the Global Index includes e-visas, processing time, and a mobility score based on broader criteria.
How many countries can Indian passport holders travel to without a visa?
As of July 2025, Indian passport holders can travel to 59 countries completely visa-free and over 70 countries including visa-on-arrival options as per the Henley Passport Index.
Why does the Indian passport rank lower than many Western countries?
The rank is influenced by diplomatic ties, visa agreements, and travel freedoms offered by other countries, which are currently more limited for Indian passport holders.
Can Indian passport holders travel to Europe without a visa?
No, most European countries, especially those in the Schengen Area, require Indian citizens to obtain a visa before travel.
Is travel insurance required for Indian travellers visiting visa-free countries?
While not always mandatory, travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover emergencies, especially in countries with high healthcare or travel disruption costs.
Which Asian countries are visa-free for Indians in 2025?
Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Iran, and Macao are among the Asian countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry.
How does the Indian passport compare to China and Pakistan in 2025?
India ranks higher than Pakistan and Sri Lanka but lower than China. For example, Indian passport holders have visa-free access to 59 countries, while China has 83 as per the Henley Passport Index.
Can I improve my travel access with other types of Indian passports?
Yes, diplomatic or official passports (e.g., white passports) may offer greater travel access to citizens with Indian passports, but they’re limited to government officials.
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