Indian travellers may face tighter restrictions on global mobility this year. The latest Henley Passport Index 2025 places India at 85th position, marking a drop of five places from 2024. Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 57 destinations, down from 62 last year.
India’s best ranking came in 2006, when it stood at 71st globally. The decline reflects ongoing challenges in negotiating reciprocal visa arrangements, even as India expands its diplomatic and trade footprint.
What is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports worldwide based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a pre-approved visa.
Compiled using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it compares 199 passports across 227 destinations. Updated monthly by Henley & Partners, the index serves as a benchmark for global travel freedom and diplomatic influence.
Countries Indian Citizens Can Visit Visa-Free or On Arrival (2025)
Despite the fall in ranking, Indian passport holders can still travel without pre-approved visas to a range of destinations across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Destinations Include:
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya (ETA), Laos, Macao, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Palau Islands, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe, among others.
These options continue to offer Indian travellers access to beach destinations, emerging markets, and cultural hotspots, even as access to Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia remains restricted.
Global Rankings: Singapore Retains Top Spot
At the top of the 2025 index, Singapore continues to hold the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations. It is followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189).
At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport with access to just 24 destinations, followed by Syria (26) and Iraq (29).
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