Henley Passport Index 2025

Miscellaneous GK Reports

25-Jul-25

Context:

According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the Indian passport has jumped eight positions, moving from 85th in 2024 to 77th this year. Indian citizens now enjoy visa-free access to 59 countries, including popular destinations like Malaysia, Maldives, and Thailand.

About the Henley Passport Index

What Is It?

The Henley Passport Index is a globally recognized ranking that measures travel freedom by counting how many destinations a passport holder can enter without needing a prior visa. It’s a key indicator of a country’s diplomatic relationships and global mobility power.

Published By:

The index is compiled by Henley & Partners, a leading citizenship and residence advisory firm. It is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), supplemented with Henley's independent research.

Methodology:

Passports are ranked based on the number of destinations accessible without a pre-arranged visa.
This includes visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorizations (ETAs).
The 2025 index considers 227 travel destinations worldwide.

Global Highlights – 2025 Rankings

Top Performers:

1st Place: Singapore – visa-free access to 193 destinations
2nd Place: Japan and South Korea – access to 190 destinations
Top 5 Dominated by Europe: Countries like Germany, France, and Italy maintain strong positions.

Major Movers:

UAE: Leapt from 42nd to 8th over the last decade.
China: Improved from 94th in 2015 to 60th in 2025.
Saudi Arabia: Now grants access to 91 destinations, a gain of 4 in the past year.

Countries Losing Ground:

USA: Dropped to 10th place, continuing its downward trend.
UK: Stands at 6th, having also declined from past top spots.

Lowest Ranking:

Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with visa-free access to just 25 countries.

India’s Passport Performance in Detail

2025 Rank: 77th, up from 85th in 2024
Visa-Free Access: 59 countries, including Malaysia, Maldives, and Thailand
Visa-on-Arrival Options: Available in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Macau