India's passport has secured the 80th spot, climbing five places higher than in 2022. This advancement allows Indian passport holders to travel to 57 destinations without needing a visa.
India's current rank places it alongside countries such as Togo and Senegal with respect to visa-free travel opportunities. While Indians can now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to several countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Rwanda, Jamaica, and Sri Lanka, there are still 177 destinations worldwide where they are required to obtain a visa. Notable countries on this list include China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and various European Union countries.
How Did The Other Countries Perform
Germany, Italy, and Spain have all moved up to the second position, offering visa-free access to 190 destinations. Additionally, Japanese passport holders now share third place with those from Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden, granting access to 189 destinations without a prior visa.
Singapore has claimed the top spot in having the world's most powerful passport, providing visa-free entry to an impressive 192 global destinations. After reigning at the top for five years, Japan has now dropped to third place due to a decrease in the number of destinations its passport can access without a visa. The United States, once a leader in the rankings nearly a decade ago, has now slid down two places to eighth. On the other hand, the UK has managed to bounce back two positions to secure the fourth rank, a position it last held in 2017. At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan grants easy access to only 27 destinations.
What is Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index, created by Dr Christian H. Kaelin, relies on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and encompasses 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. It is updated in real-time throughout the year to reflect any changes in visa policies globally. This interactive online tool has become highly popular for displaying, sorting, and ranking the world's passports.
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on a thorough methodology that considers various factors. These factors include the number of countries a passport holder can enter without a visa, the diplomatic relationships between countries, and their international agreements. International relations heavily influence the strength of a passport. Countries with strong diplomatic ties and positive international relationships often have powerful passports that allow their citizens to travel visa-free to many other countries.
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