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Indian Passport Ranking 2024 as per Global and Henley Passport Index

Source: anyvisa

As of March 2024, India’s current passport rank is 82, where valid passport holders can travel visa-free or by availing a visa-on-arrival to 62 destinations, according to the Henley & Partners Passport Index.

According to The Passport Index, India’s current passport rank is 67, allowing valid passport holders to travel to 73 countries either visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival.

Most of the popular passport indices have published their passport rankings for the year 2024 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.

What is the Passport Ranking Index and How it Works?

  1. 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.
  2. 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!

Indian Passport Ranking in 2024

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:

  1. No visa is required
  2. Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) is available
  3. Visitor’s permit is available or,
  4. An electronic travel authority (ETA) is available.

A score of 0 is allotted in case a passport holder must apply for an e-visa or mandatory visa is required before departure. No score is allotted if you need a pre-departure government approval for a visa on arrival.

For Global Passport Index:

To determine the individual rank of each passport, a three-tier method is applied:

  1. Mobility Score (MS): This includes visa-free (VF), visa on arrival (VOA), eTA and e-visa (if issued within 3 days) 
  2. Visa Free portion of their score vs Visa-on-Arrival 
  3. 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:

Year Indian Passport Rank According to Henley Passport Index Indian Passport Rank According to Global Passport Index
2024 82 67
2023 84 67
2022 83 67
2021 90 73
2020 82 61
2019 82 71
2018 81 68
2017 87 72
2016 85 78
2015 88 77

Disclaimer - This data was updated in March 2024.

From the above table, we can see that the current rank of India’s passport according to the Henley Passport Index is 82, allowing Indian passport holders to travel to 62 countries visa-free! According to the Global Passport Index, India’s passport is ranked at 67th position. The current mobility score of Indian passport is 73, allowing Indian passport holders to travel to 27 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 2024

The following table illustrates the first ten rank holders of the most powerful passports in the world in 2024. 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.

Passport Rank Henley Passport Index Global Passport Index

Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan  United Arab Emirates 

Finland, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands 

Austria, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland

Belgium, Norway, Portugal Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Poland, Greece, Ireland

Malta, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Greece  Singapore, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Hungary, South Korea 

Poland, Canada, United States, Czechia  Japan, Lithuania, Slovakia, New Zealand, Estonia 

Hungary, Lithuania  Canada, Slovenia, Latvia, Croatia, United States of America, Malta, Australia 

Estonia  Iceland, Liechtenstein 

Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia  Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria 

10 

Iceland  Monaco, Malaysia 

Disclaimer - This data was updated in February 2024.

In 2024, as per the Henley Passport Index, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Spain and Japan rank first with visa-free access to 194 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.

10 Least Powerful Passports in the World in 2024

While visa-free travel is a luxury, there are a few passports that proffer 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:

Henley Passport Index Rank Global Passport Index Rank
109 - Afghanistan 94 - Syria
108 - Syria 93 - Afghanistan
107 - Iraq 92 - Iraq
106 - Pakistan 91 - Pakistan, Somalia
105 - Yemen 90 - Yemen
104 - Somalia 89 - Bangladesh
103 – Palestinian Territory, Nepal, Libya 88 - Palestinian Territories
102 – North Korea, Bangladesh 87- Libya, North Korea
101 - Sri Lanka, Eritrea 86 - Eritrea, Sudan
100 - Sudan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Iran 85 - Nepal, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo

Disclaimer - This data was updated in March 2024.

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 2024 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 66 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.

Country Visa Type Stay Duration Continent
Thailand  Visa Free, Visa on arrival  Visa free: 15 days 
Visa on arrival: 30 days 
Asia 
Malaysia  Visa Free, e-visa  30 days 
(Visa free is valid from 1st Dec'23 and 31st Dec'24) 
Asia 
Sri Lanka  Visa Free, eTA and Visa on arrival  30 days  Asia 
Maldives  Visa on arrival  30 days  Asia 
Indonesia  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Asia 
Vietnam  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Asia 
Bhutan  Visa Free  14 days  Asia 
Hong Kong  Visa Free, Pre-registration form on arrival or online  14 days  Asia 
Nepal  Visa Free  NA  Asia 
Oman  Visa Free  14 days  Asia 
Bahrain  e-visa, Visa on arrival  2 weeks  Asia 
Cambodia  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Asia 
Jordan  Visa on arrival  30 days  Asia 
Myanmar  Visa on arrival, e-visa  On arrival: 30 days 
e-visa: 28 days 
Asia 
Iran  Visa Free, Visa on arrival, e-visa  Visa Free: 15 days 
e-visa and visa on arrival: 30 days 
Asia 
Macao (SAR China)  Visa Free  30 days  Asia 
Laos  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Asia 
Timor-Leste  Visa on arrival  30 days  Asia 
Tajikistan  Visa on arrival, e-visa  60 days  Asia 
Kazakhstan  Visa Free  14 days  Asia 
Palestinian Territories  Visa Free  NA  Asia 
Seychelles  Visa Free  90 days  Africa 
Mauritius  Visa Free  90 days  Africa 
Tanzania  Visa on arrival, e-visa  90 days  Africa 
Mozambique  Visa on arrival  30 days  Africa 
Madagascar  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Africa 
Cape Verde Islands  Visa on arrival  60 days  Africa 
Mauritania  Visa on arrival  90 days  Africa 
Comoro Islands  Visa on arrival  45 days  Africa 
Burundi  Visa on arrival  90 days  Africa 
Zimbabwe  Visa on arrival  30 days  Africa 
Angola  Visa Free, Visa on Arrival and e-visa  30 days  Africa 
Senegal  Visa Free  90 days  Africa 
Ethiopia  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Africa 
Guinea-Bissau*  Visa on arrival  90 days  Africa 
Sierra Leone  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  Africa 
Somalia  Visa on arrival  30 days  Africa 
Gabon  Visa on arrival  90 days  Africa 
Tunisia  Visa Free, Visa on arrival  90 days  Africa 
Gambia  Visa Free  90 days  Africa 
Rwanda  Visa Free  30 days  Africa 
El Salvador  Visa Free  90 days  Central America 
Barbados  Visa Free  90 days  North America 
British Virgin Islands  Visa Free  30 days  North America 
Dominica  Visa Free  180 days  North America 
Grenada  Visa Free  90 days  North America 
Haiti  Visa Free  90 days  North America 
Jamaica  Visa Free  30 days  North America 
Montserrat  Visa Free  NA  North America 
Antigua and Barbuda  Visa on arrival, e-visa  30 days  North America 
Saint Lucia  Visa on arrival  90 days  North America 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  Visa Free  90 days  North America 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines  Visa Free  90 days  North America 
Trinidad and Tobago  Visa Free  90 days  South America 
Bolivia  Visa on arrival  30 days  South America 
Suriname  Visa on arrival, e-visa  31 days  South America 
Cook Islands  Visa Free  31 days  Oceania 
Fiji  Visa Free  120 days  Oceania 
Kiribati  Visa Free  90 days  Oceania 
Micronesia  Visa Free  30 days  Oceania 
Niue  Visa Free  NA  Oceania 
Vanuatu  Visa Free  30 days  Oceania 
Marshall Islands  Visa on arrival  30 days  Oceania 
Palau Islands  Visa on arrival  30 days  Oceania 
Samoa  Visa on arrival  90 days  Oceania 
Tuvalu  Visa on arrival  30 days  Oceania 

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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 165 countries as of 2024 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 82 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 189 countries as per Henley Passport Index 2024. 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 62 countries visa-free, China has 88 visa-free countries. However, Pakistan has only 9 visa-free countries, Sri Lanka has 34 visa-free countries, Nepal has 40 visa-free countries and Bangladesh has 42 visa-free countries as of March 2024 according to The Henley Passport Index.

Which countries are allowing visa free entry for Indian passport holders?

Indian passport holders can travel to 35 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 of 2024, there are six countries that rank on the number 1 position of strongest passports in the world according to Henley Passport Index. They are France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain.

Which country has the weakest passport in 2024?

Afghanistan has the weakest and lowest passport rank in the world as of March 2024. According to Henely Passport Index, Afghanistan’s passport is ranked 109th position with easy entry access into only 28 countries.