- India's passport rose 10 places to 75th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index
- Indian passport holders can access 56 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival
- Top-ranked passports include Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Sweden
India's passport has made a noteworthy leap in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, jumping 10 places to reach the 75th position globally. This ranking reflects how many destinations passport holders can visit without applying for a visa in advance, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa facilities. For Indian travellers, this means easier access to 56 countries worldwide.
The Henley Index is recognised globally as the authority on passport strength, using travel data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to measure how freely citizens can move internationally.
What This Rank Means for Indian Travellers
With improved ranking, Indian passport holders enjoy broader travel freedom, making holidays, business trips and cultural visits more convenient. Countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and Oceania now welcome Indians with minimal visa hassles.
Most Powerful Passports In The World In 2026:
While India has made significant progress, several countries still top the global travel-freedom charts. According to the latest
2026 Henley Passport Index Data: Top Ranking Passports
1st: Singapore - Offers visa-free access to 192 countries, retaining its position as the most powerful passport in the world.
2nd: Japan & South Korea - Both passports grant access to 187 destinations visa-free.
3rd: Sweden and UAE: Each passport allows travellers visa-free entry to 186 countries.
4th: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway - All offer access to 185 nations without prior visas.
5h: Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal - Visa-free access to 184 countries.
6th-10th: Countries like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the United States round out the top 10, with U.S. passport holders able to access 179 destinations without a prior visa.
How Far India Has Come
India's passport strength has fluctuated over the past decade. At its best historical position, it ranked 71st in 2006, but it slipped significantly over the years, falling to 85th last year before rising to 80th position at the start of 2026.
So while 75th place is not yet the highest ever, it represents solid growth and an encouraging trend for Indian citizens eager to explore the world with fewer travel hassles.
