The Henley Passport Index 2025 has revealed that India’s ranking in the list of the world’s most powerful passports has declined significantly, slipping five places from 80th to 85th. The ranking is based on the number of destinations that can be reached visa-free using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
As per the latest status, Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 57 destinations, which ranks 85th along with Equatorial Guinea and Niger. In contrast, Singapore has retained its top position, with its passport holders enjoying visa-free access to an impressive 195 destinations around the world.
- Singapore (195 destinations)
- Japan (193)
- France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, South Korea (192)
- Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway (191)
- Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)
- Greece, Australia (189)
- Canada, Poland, Malta (188)
- Hungary, Czechia (187)
- Estonia, United States (186)
- Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates (185)
European countries dominate the top 10 list, with Japan, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Spain all securing spots. The UAE has made significant progress, climbing 32 places to 10th place, offering visa-free access to 185 destinations worldwide.
In a surprising turn of events, the US has dropped seven places to ninth place, with experts attributing the decline to the country’s increasingly introverted and isolationist political tendencies. Anne Pforzheimer, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that “American political trends have become particularly inward-looking and isolationist… During the 2024 presidential campaign, voters were told a narrative that America could stand alone (And he must stand).”
At the other end of the spectrum, countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan are facing significant travel restrictions with limited visa-free access to destinations around the world. Afghanistan, in particular, remains at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, with its passport holders facing the largest mobility gap in the index’s 19-year history.
India’s ranking has experienced ups and downs over the years, reaching its highest rank of 71st in 2006. The country’s ranking declined significantly in 2021, likely due to global travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, India’s ranking showed signs of improvement from 2021, rising to 80th in 2024 before falling to 85th in 2025.
