India’s passport has moved up ten places to claim the 75th spot in the 2026 Henley Passport Index. This marks a significant improvement in travel mobility for Indian citizens after a decade of fluctuating rankings.
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can enter without a visa. This includes visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa facilities. For Indian travellers, the new ranking means easier entry to 56 countries worldwide.
The index is compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is widely regarded as one of the most closely watched global benchmarks of passport strength.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports on travel freedom, specifically how many destinations can be visited without a pre-arranged visa. The more destinations a passport allows, the stronger it is considered for global mobility.
This metric matters to travellers because it directly affects how easily they can plan international trips. Visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry reduces paperwork, costs, and processing time. Travel for tourism, business, and cultural visits becomes simpler.
While the index does not measure the quality of travel infrastructure, airline connectivity, or ease of securing long-term visas, it remains a key indicator of how freely citizens can cross borders.
India’s improved ranking will be most visible for those planning short leisure holidays or quick work trips. Travellers also benefit from last-minute getaways. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies are useful for destinations where they would otherwise face appointment delays, embassy processing, and document-heavy applications.
For Indian tourists, the growth reflects a broader trend of expanding access across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania. These regions have historically offered flexible entry policies for Indian nationals.
Although 56 destinations still seem few compared to top-ranked passports, the 10-place leap is a positive shift. That said, the rise is partly relative, as several other countries saw sharper declines in mobility. India has also recently lost visa-free access to Iran and Bolivia, keeping the total at 56, one lower than the 57 recorded in early 2025.
India’s rise comes as top-ranked Henley Index countries continue to offer their citizens extensive visa-free access. These include most of Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.
According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index:
Singapore remains the world's strongest passport, with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Japan and South Korea share the second spot, each offering access to 187 destinations.
Sweden and the UAE follow, with access to 186 destinations.
A large group of European countries shares the next rank, with access to 185 destinations. These include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal come next, with access to 184 destinations.
Countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the United States round out the top 10. The US passport, for instance, offers visa-free access to 179 destinations, keeping it among the world’s most travel-friendly passports despite recent geopolitical shifts.
India’s passport strength has seen a mixed trajectory over the last two decades. The best historical ranking was in 2006, when it stood at 71st globally.
Since then, the ranking has fluctuated because of shifting diplomatic agreements, changing visa policies, and global travel restrictions. India reportedly fell to 85th last year, improved to 80th at the start of 2026, and reached 75th in the latest update.
While the current rank does not surpass the 2006 high, it is a significant improvement over the recent past. This suggests that travel access for Indian citizens may be slowly expanding again.
The most immediate benefit of the new ranking is access to more destinations. Indian travellers do not have to go through a traditional visa process in advance for these places.
Visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders include countries and territories such as:
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, and Thailand.
In addition, several destinations offer visa-on-arrival access, including:
Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Zimbabwe.
For travellers, these lists matter because they offer more planning flexibility. Costs can be lower, and travel can be arranged without long embassy waits.
India’s rise in the Henley Passport Index is a mobility milestone. It also highlights the unevenness of global travel access. While the top passports offer entry to nearly 190 destinations without advance visas, Indian travellers still face restrictions in much of Europe and North America. In these regions, pre-approved visas remain mandatory.
Even so, the jump to 75th is encouraging, especially for leisure travellers. With easier access to island nations, much of Southeast Asia, and several African and Caribbean countries, Indian tourists now have more hassle-free travel options.
For a growing travel market like India, outbound tourism continues to expand. Even small improvements in passport strength can lead to real changes: fewer forms, fewer appointments, and more spontaneous trips.
(With inputs from various sources.)
1. What is India’s rank in the Henley Passport Index 2026?
India is ranked 75th in the Henley Passport Index 2026.
2. How many destinations can Indian passport holders access easily in 2026?
Indian passport holders have easier entry to 56 destinations through visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa access.
3. What does the Henley Passport Index measure?
It measures passport strength based on the number of destinations that can be visited without obtaining a visa in advance.
4. Which passport is ranked number one in 2026?
Singapore ranks first, with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
5. Does the Henley Index include e-visas in the count?
Yes. The index includes visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa facilities.