Indian Passport Rises To 80th Spot With Visa-Free Access To 55 Countries: 2026 Ranking

The Indian passport has improved its standing in the global mobility chart. According to the latest Henley Passport Index 2026, India now ranks 80th worldwide, marking a steady rise from 85th place last year. The Indian passport now offers visa-free access to 55 destinations, putting it on par with Algeria. While this is a positive step forward, large parts of the world still require visas for Indian citizens, meaning global travel freedom remains limited compared to top-ranking nations.

In 2025, although India ranked at the 85th position on the global index, Indian passport holders had access to 57 destinations around the world without a prior visa.

India's strongest performance on the index came back in 2006, when it was ranked 71st.

Who Has The Most Powerful Passport In The World?

1. For the third consecutive year, Singapore retains its crown as the world's most powerful passport, granting visa-free entry to 192 destinations out of 227 assessed.
2. Japan and South Korea share second place with access to 188 countries.
3. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland follow closely in third with 186 destinations.
4. The fourth spot is held by a cluster of European nations, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway, offering entry to 185 destinations.
5. Completing the top five are Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UAE, with access to 184 countries.

Strongest And Weakest Passports In The World

While Singapore tops the ranking with 192 destinations, Afghanistan sits at the bottom, with its citizens able to visit only 24 countries visa-free.

For India, the upward movement signals progress, but there's still a long way to go before achieving true global mobility.