India slips to 85th spot in 2025 Henley Passport Index as visa-free access drops

India’s passport ranking has fallen five places to the 85th position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, granting its citizens visa-free access to 57 countries, down from 59 in 2024. The latest update by Henley & Partners reflects shifting global travel dynamics, with Asian nations continuing to strengthen their passport power while South Asian countries, including India, see limited improvement.

At the top of the index, Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free entry to 193 destinations, followed closely by South Korea and Japan, reaffirming Asia’s growing dominance in global mobility. Meanwhile, European countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland continue to feature in the top 10, supported by strong diplomatic relations, stable governance, and openness to international travel.

Notably, the United States has failed to make it to the top 10 for the first time, a significant drop that highlights changing visa policies and the growing strength of Asian and European passports.

The Henley Passport Index, which has been tracking global travel freedom since 2005, is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Initially launched as the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, it was rebranded as the Henley Passport Index in 2018.

India’s performance in the index has seen frequent fluctuations over the years. In 2006, India ranked as high as 71, while in 2021, it dropped to 90. The current ranking of 85 shows a modest recovery from its lowest point but underscores the limited progress in expanding travel freedom for Indian citizens.

Currently, Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 12 destinations, including Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, 27 countries offer visa-on-arrival facilities to Indians, including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan, Qatar, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, among others.

In comparison, Bhutan ranks 92nd, offering visa-free access to 50 countries, slightly ahead of India’s other South Asian neighbors. Bangladesh stands at 100th with 38 visa-free destinations, Nepal at 101st with 36, and Pakistan trails behind at 103rd, providing access to just 31 countries without a visa.

At the bottom of the global list, Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport, allowing entry to only 24 destinations, followed by Syria (26) and Iraq (29), highlighting the deep travel inequality between nations.

Overall, the 2025 Henley Passport Index paints a clear picture: while Asian giants like Singapore and Japan dominate global travel freedom, India still faces significant diplomatic and administrative barriers in enhancing its citizens’ global mobility.