Context: India's ranking has dropped five places – from 80th to 85th – in the list of the world's most powerful passports, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025.

• Note: Henley Passport Index 2025 ranks the passport of countries against 227 travel destinations. India’s rankings have dropped from last year with 57 visa-free destinations.

Need

• In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the ability to travel freely has become a vital asset for individuals, with passports playing a crucial role in facilitating this freedom.

• Countries with stronger passports tend to enjoy better diplomatic relationships, which simplifies international travel for their citizens, whereas those with weaker passports often face significant obstacles that limit their global mobility and engagement options.

India Ranking

• Historical Trends: India's lowest rank was 90th in 2021, while its best was 71st in 2006.

• Current Ranking: India ranked  85th in 2025, down from 80th in 2024. This decline shows a broader trend in India’s passport strength, which has fluctuated in the past two decades. 

• As per its latest standing, an Indian passport holder can travel visa-free to 57 destinations. The country shares its rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger.

About Henley Passport Index

• The Henley Passport Index (HPI) is a global ranking of countries and territories based on the strength and mobility of their passports. It measures the number of destinations a passport holder can access without requiring a prior visa.  

• This index was originally launched as the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index in 2005 and was rebranded in 2018. Henley Passport Index ranking is based on Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

• It is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. 

• The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association. (IATA), the largest, most accurate travel information database, and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team. (Henley & Partners is a London-based advisory firm).

• The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.

• The number of countries that a specific passport can access becomes its visa-free 'score'.

Key Findings

• As of 2025, Singapore continues to lead the way as home to the world’s strongest passport, offering its holders visa-free access to an impressive 195 destinations.

• India ranked 85th in 2025, down from 80th in 2024, while Pakistan and Bangladesh stood at 103rd and 100th, respectively.

• Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains at the bottom (106th), with access to only 26 destinations.

• Comparative Rankings: The U.S. ranked 9th (down from 7th in 2024), while China rose to 60th from 62nd. Japan held the 2nd position, losing its long-held top spot.

• Biggest Movers: Over the last decade, China climbed significantly from 94th to 60th, while the U.S. fell from 2nd to 9th, and the UK dropped from 1st to 5th.

• Global Trends: 22 passports fell in rankings over the past decade, with Venezuela and Vanuatu joining the U.S. and UK among the biggest decliners.

• Investment Migration: The U.S. led in applications for alternative citizenship, with Americans forming 21% of Henley & Partners’ clients in 2024.

• Geopolitical Arbitrage: Investors seek alternative residencies for greater personal, financial, and lifestyle security amidst global volatility.

In conclusion, the Henley Passport Index 2025 highlights the shift in India’s passport strength, with its rank slipping to 85th. While Indian passport holders can still travel to 57 destinations without a visa, the country’s ranking reflects a broader trend of fluctuating passport mobility.