It’s official! Every year, Indian passport holders look forward to two things: new visa-free destinations and the Henley Passport Index. This index not only ranks the strength of passports but also serves as a key reference for global citizens and countries when evaluating a passport’s place on the global mobility scale. Now, in 2025, the latest rankings have been released! While it may seem minor, India has climbed eight positions to rank 77th on the Henley Passport Index. According to the 2025 report, the Indian passport has improved significantly, rising from 85th to 77th place after falling five spots the previous year. Currently, Indian passport holders can travel to 59 countries without a visa.
The Henley Passport Index is unique in that it utilises exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and spans 19 years of information. Right now, Indian passport holders can visit 59 destinations without a visa or can get a visa on arrival. Some of the countries with visa-free access include Malaysia, Philippines, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, Maldives, and Thailand. For places like Sri Lanka, Macau, and Myanmar, Indians can get a visa on arrival.
Singapore Bags 1st Spot On Henley Passport Index
According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, Asian countries are making significant progress. Singapore is in first place, allowing visa-free access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea are tied for second place, each offering visa-free entry to 190 countries. In third place are Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, with each of these countries providing access to 189 destinations without a visa.
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden all share the 4th position. New Zealand is in 5th, along with Greece and Switzerland. On the other end of the scale, Afghanistan is at the lowest ranking, with its citizens able to travel to just 25 places without needing a visa in advance.
India’s position in the passport index has fluctuated significantly over the years. In 2006, during the first ranking, India was placed 71st, but by 2007, it dropped to the 73rd position. Since then, India’s ranking has typically ranged between the 75th and 90th spots. However, the lowest ranking recorded for India was in 2021, when the Indian passport was ranked 90th.
