Indian Passport Power: A Leap Forward in Visa-Free Travel for 2025
Indian passport climbs 8 spots to 77th in Henley Passport Index 2025, offering visa-free entry to 59 countries. Discover global mobility trends.
Global Passport Rankings: India Makes Significant Gain, Unlocks New Travel Opportunities
The Indian passport has achieved a notable ascent in global mobility, jumping eight positions to secure the 77th rank in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025. This significant improvement allows Indian passport holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations worldwide.
The climb comes after a five-place drop last year, signaling a positive shift in India's global standing regarding travel freedom. While the number of visa-free destinations increased marginally by two, the substantial jump in ranking reflects a dynamic landscape in international diplomacy and travel agreements.
The Henley Passport Index, widely recognized as an authoritative global ranking, assesses passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. This includes countries offering visa-on-arrival (VOA) or electronic travel authority (ETA) without pre-departure government approval. Among the 59 destinations accessible to Indian citizens are popular choices like Malaysia, the Maldives, and Thailand. Countries such as Sri Lanka, Macau, Indonesia, and Myanmar also offer visa-on-arrival facilities.
Asia Leads Global Mobility
The latest index underscores a continuing trend: Asian countries are at the forefront of global mobility. Singapore proudly holds the top spot, providing visa-free access to an impressive 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea remain close contenders, each offering visa-free travel to 190 countries.
European nations also demonstrate strong passport power, with seven countries—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain—jointly securing third place, granting access to 189 destinations. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden follow closely in fourth place.
Shifting Global Dynamics
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan continues to rank last, with its citizens able to access only 25 destinations without a prior visa. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and the United States have each slipped one place, now ranking 6th and 10th, respectively. Both nations, once global leaders in passport power (UK in 2015, US in 2014), now offer visa-free access to 186 (UK) and 182 (US) destinations.
Interestingly, Saudi Arabia has made the most significant gain in visa-free access, adding four destinations since January to reach 91. China has also seen substantial progress, rising 34 places since 2015 to reach 60th position, a remarkable feat given its lack of visa-free access to Europe's Schengen Area.
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, highlighted the broader implications of these rankings. "Your passport is no longer just a travel document – it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships," he stated. Dr. Steffen also noted a growing demand for alternative residence and citizenship options, particularly from American and British nationals, indicating a desire for greater global access and security in an era of increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
