India’s passport has dropped to the 85th position in the Henley Passport Index 2025, down from 80th in 2024. This decline marks a reduction in the number of destinations Indian passport holders can visit without prior visas, now standing at 57 countries.
Meanwhile, Singapore has reclaimed the top spot, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 out of 227 global destinations, maintaining its position as the world’s most powerful passport.
The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free access to countries, uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
India’s passport has witnessed fluctuations over the years. It was ranked as high as 71st in 2006, but its rank has steadily declined since 2015. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant drop, with India ranking 90th in 2021.
In the latest rankings, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has entered the top 10, while countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have experienced a fall in their rankings.
On the lower end of the index, countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Pakistan face severe travel restrictions, with Afghanistan’s passport remaining at the very bottom of the list.
The Henley Passport Index offers a comprehensive snapshot of global mobility and passport strength, providing valuable insights into international travel trends and the relative power of national passports.
