India Slips to 85th in 2025 Henley Passport Index: Fewer Visa-Free Destinations for Travellers
Indian travellers now have fewer visa-free destinations to choose from in 2025. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, India ranks 85th globally, dropping five places from last year. Indian passport holders can now access 57 destinations without a pre-approved visa, compared to 62 in 2024.
India’s best-ever position came in 2006, when it reached 71st place. The decline highlights the country’s ongoing struggle to secure reciprocal visa arrangements despite its expanding global influence.
What Is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks 199 passports based on how many destinations their holders can enter without a visa.
The 2025 edition captures the evolving landscape of global mobility and reflects the impact of diplomatic and policy shifts shaping international travel access.
Where Indians Can Travel Without a Visa
Despite the fall in rankings, Indian citizens continue to enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to several destinations across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Key visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for Indian passport holders in 2025 include:
Asia: Bhutan, Indonesia (VOA), Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos (VOA), Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia (VOA), Myanmar (VOA), Nepal, Philippines, Qatar (VOA), Sri Lanka (VOA), Thailand, Timor-Leste (VOA)
Africa: Angola, Burundi (VOA), Cape Verde (VOA), Comoros (VOA), Ethiopia (VOA), Kenya (ETA), Madagascar (VOA), Mauritius, Mozambique (VOA), Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania (VOA), Zimbabwe (VOA)
Caribbean: Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia (VOA), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Pacific Islands: Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Palau (VOA), Samoa (VOA), Tuvalu (VOA), Vanuatu
Other Regions: Bolivia (VOA), British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti (VOA), Jordan (VOA), Macao (SAR China), Senegal, Sierra Leone (VOA)
Why India Slipped
India’s lower ranking stems largely from limited progress on reciprocal visa agreements. While India has strengthened diplomatic ties and trade relations with regions such as the Gulf and Southeast Asia, access to Europe, North America, and East Asia remains highly restricted.
Lengthy visa processing times, complex documentation requirements, and limited bilateral mobility arrangements continue to constrain travel freedom for Indian citizens.
Global Snapshot: Singapore Tops, Afghanistan Last
Singapore retains the world’s most powerful passport in 2025, granting visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189).
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan ranks last with visa-free access to just 24 destinations, trailed by Syria (26) and Iraq (29).
A Gap Between Influence and Mobility
India’s decline in the Henley Passport Index underscores a persistent paradox — growing diplomatic clout but limited travel freedom. As global travel becomes increasingly tied to geopolitical leverage and reciprocal arrangements, bridging this gap may emerge as a key focus in India’s future foreign policy strategy.
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