The latest Henley Passport Index, which evaluates global travel documents based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa, has placed Singapore in the top position. India's passport is ranked 85th globally, a decline of five positions from the previous year, offering visa-free entry to 57 countries. The index highlights a growing disparity in global mobility over the past two decades and details significant shifts in rankings for various nations, including notable improvements for the UAE and declines for the UK and US.
The Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is a quarterly updated ranking system that assesses passports worldwide based on their visa-free access to different countries. This index, produced by Henley & Partners, is utilized as a benchmark for global mobility.
Global Rankings Overview
Singapore has secured the top position on the index, providing its passport holders with visa-free access to 193 countries. Regarding the subsequent positions, Source 1 reports South Korea in second place with 190 destinations and Japan in third with 189 destinations. Source 2, however, states that Japan and South Korea share the second position.
Further down the rankings:
- Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland share the third position.
- Ten European countries collectively hold the fourth position.
- The United Arab Emirates ranks fifth.
- New Zealand is placed sixth.
- Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom share the seventh position, with passport holders typically able to access 182 countries visa-free.
- Afghanistan is ranked last, offering visa-free access to 24 countries.
India's Position
India's passport is ranked 85th among 199 countries, sharing this position with Mauritania. Indian passport holders currently have visa-free access to 57 destinations. This represents a decline of five positions from the previous year.
Historically, India's rank has primarily ranged in the 80s over the past decade, reaching a low of 90th in 2021. While the number of visa-free destinations for Indian citizens has increased over the long term, the country's relative global ranking has decreased.
- In 2014, India's passport ranked 76th with 52 visa-free countries.
- By 2015, the rank dropped to 85th, while visa-free destinations remained at 52.
- Visa-free destinations increased to 60 in 2023 and 62 in 2024.
- The current 2025 ranking indicates 57 visa-free countries and an 85th position.
In recent quarterly updates, India's rank decreased from 77th in July (with 59 visa-free countries) to 85th in October after losing access to two countries. For comparison, countries such as Rwanda (78th), Ghana (74th), and Azerbaijan (72nd) are ranked higher. The Indian government has not issued a statement regarding this latest report.
Global Trends and Mobility Disparities
The index indicates a widening disparity in global mobility over the past two decades. In 2006, the gap between the strongest and weakest passports was 118 destinations; it now stands at 168. The global average number of visa-free destinations has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025.
Notable Shifts in Rankings for Other Nations
Several countries have experienced significant shifts in their passport power:
- Improvements: The United Arab Emirates has shown the most significant improvement, adding 149 visa-free destinations and climbing 57 places to rank fifth globally since 2006. China's passport rank improved from 94th to 60th in the last decade, with its visa-free destinations increasing from 50 to 82. Western Balkan and Eastern European countries, including Albania, Ukraine, Serbia, and North Macedonia, have also made substantial gains.
- Declines: The United Kingdom, sharing seventh place, recorded a year-on-year decline, losing visa-free access to eight destinations. It has moved from third to seventh place since 2006. The United States returned to the top ten after a brief absence but experienced the second-largest annual decline, losing visa-free access to seven destinations, falling from fourth to tenth place since 2006.
Factors and Implications of Passport Strength
Experts attribute shifting rankings to an evolving global mobility landscape, characterized by countries establishing new travel partnerships to benefit their citizens and economies. Misha Glenny, director of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, states that passport power reflects a nation's political stability, diplomatic credibility, and its capacity to influence international rules.
The strength of a nation's passport can impact citizens' mobility, potentially affecting business and educational opportunities. Passports with lower strength may involve more administrative procedures, higher visa costs, and longer processing times for international travel.