Highlights:
- Indian passport ranks 75th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, up from 85th in 2025
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access stands at 56 destinations
- Iran and Bolivia removed from visa-free list for Indian passport holders
- India shares 75th position with Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania
- Maldives leads South Asia at 49th with access to over 93 destinations
- Singapore remains the world’s strongest passport with 192 visa-free destinations
According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index, India has climbed from 85th position last year to 75th this year. Despite the ranking improvement, the number of destinations accessible without prior visa approval has reduced by one.
Indian passport holders now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 destinations. Iran and Bolivia are no longer included in the visa-free list in 2026.
India shares its ranking with Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania, reflecting similar levels of international travel access.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations. It measures how many locations passport holders can enter without securing a visa beforehand. The rankings are based on data from the International Air Transport Association.
Passport rankings are often considered an indicator of global mobility and diplomatic reach. Changes in ranking typically result from updated visa agreements or policy revisions by destination countries.
Visa-free travel options under the Indian passport
Indian passport holders can travel without a prior visa to 56 destinations across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
These include Barbados, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Mauritius.
However, Indian citizens still require a visa for 170 destinations worldwide. The shift from 57 to 56 visa-free destinations reflects adjustments in international entry policies.
Regional comparison of passport strength
Within South Asia, Maldives ranked 49th with visa-free access to more than 93 destinations. China ranked 56th with access to 82 countries.
Other regional rankings include:
Bhutan: 83rd
Myanmar: 88th
Sri Lanka: 91st
Bangladesh: 93rd
Nepal: 95th
Pakistan: 97th with access to 32 destinations
Afghanistan: 101st with access to 24 destinations
India’s 75th position places it above several neighboring countries but below Maldives and China.
Global passport leaders in 2026
Singapore retained the top position globally, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Japan and South Korea ranked second with 187 destinations each. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates followed with 186 destinations.
Among major Western economies:
France ranked fourth with 185 destinations
United Kingdom ranked seventh with 182 destinations
Germany ranked eighth with 181 destinations
United States ranked 10th with 179 destinations
What the 2026 passport ranking signals
The improvement in ranking reflects relative gains in India’s global mobility position compared to 2025. However, the slight reduction in visa-free access highlights how international travel policies continue to evolve.
Passport rankings can shift annually depending on bilateral agreements, geopolitical developments, and policy changes. The 2026 update shows that while the Indian passport has moved up in the global order, overall travel access remains limited compared to the highest-ranking passports.
