India Passport Ranks 75th in Henley Index 2026
India’s passport has made a notable leap in the latest Henley Passport Index, climbing to the 75th position in the February 2026 update. This represents a significant 10-spot improvement from its 85th ranking at the end of 2025 (and a recovery from around 80th earlier in 2026), reflecting enhanced global mobility for Indian citizens.
According to the authoritative Henley & Partners ranking, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Indian passport holders now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 destinations worldwide. This places India tied at 75th alongside countries such as Gabon and Madagascar.
The upward movement is attributed to recent diplomatic efforts and new bilateral travel agreements India has secured with several nations, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. These pacts have simplified entry for Indian travelers, boosting opportunities for tourism, business, education, and family visits. Popular accessible destinations for Indians include neighbors like Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, as well as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, select Caribbean islands (such as Barbados), and various African and Oceanic countries offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa facilities.
The Henley Passport Index, updated monthly, ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations (out of 227) their holders can access without a prior visa. A higher score indicates greater travel freedom.
At the top of the index, Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to 192 destinations. It is followed closely by Japan and South Korea (tied at 2nd with 187-188 access, per recent reports), while several European nations like Sweden, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and others dominate the upper tiers with scores in the 185-186 range. The United Arab Emirates also features prominently in the top ranks, highlighting the rise of select Asian and Gulf countries.
While the progress is celebrated as a sign of India’s growing international influence and diplomatic success, critics point out persistent challenges. Indian passport holders continue to face stringent visa requirements for key destinations in Europe, North America, and other developed regions—areas where top-ranked passports enjoy near-universal access. Additionally, experts note that a country’s passport strength often correlates with factors like economic prosperity, geopolitical stability, and reciprocal agreements, where India’s lower per capita income compared to leaders like Singapore continues to play a role in limiting broader visa liberalization.
This latest ranking underscores a steady, if gradual, improvement in India’s global standing over recent years, even as the overall “passport divide” between high-mobility and lower-mobility nations remains evident.
For the full global rankings and detailed methodology, refer to the official Henley Passport Index at henleyglobal.com/passport-index.
This is a developing story based on the February 2026 Henley Passport Index release.
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