India has recorded its most significant improvement to date in the Henley Passport Index, climbing eight positions to reach 77th place in the latest mid-year 2025 update. This marks the highest jump by any country in the last six months, despite India’s visa-free access increasing modestly from 57 to 59 destinations.
The development reflects broader shifts in global mobility patterns, as emerging powers like India, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE continue to expand their international access, steadily closing the gap with traditional leaders such as the US and UK.
At the top of the index, Singapore retained its first-place ranking with visa-free access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea followed with access to 190 destinations each. Meanwhile, seven European Union countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, shared the third spot. The UK dropped to sixth place, while the US fell to 10th, now at risk of falling out of the global top ten for the first time.
Among the most notable long-term improvements, the UAE surged from 42nd to 8th over the past decade—more than any other country. China also advanced significantly, now ranked 60th, after adding a wide range of visa waivers, particularly for Gulf and South American nations.
These changes align with a broader rise in mobility across Asia-Pacific. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines in the region led global air travel growth in the first five months of 2025, posting a 9.5% increase despite slowdowns in other markets. IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted strong forward bookings and consumer confidence heading into the Northern Hemisphere’s summer travel season.
The index underlines a critical shift: passport strength is increasingly influenced by strategic diplomacy, economic engagement, and regional cooperation, rather than historical dominance.
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