The latest Henley Passport Index for July 2026 reveals a two-position slide for India, now ranking 80th globally. Despite this drop, Indian passport holders continue to benefit from visa-free travel to 56 destinations worldwide, encompassing countries offering visa-free access, visas on arrival, visitor permits, or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
This recent decline follows a period of improvement earlier in the year, when India had climbed to 78th place in May and reached its strongest recent position at 75th in February, a notable rise from its 85th rank in 2025.
Understanding India's Mobility Score
The 56 destinations accessible to Indian citizens without a traditional visa are predominantly located in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific regions. Major Western markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and most European nations still require Indian citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Destinations Accessible Without a Traditional Visa:
- Visa-Free Access: Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, the Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu.
- Visa on Arrival: Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Palau, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Thailand, Zimbabwe.
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Required: Kenya, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis.
How Passport Rankings Are Determined
The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), assesses 199 passports by measuring the number of destinations their holders can access across 227 countries and territories without needing a traditional visa beforehand. A country's rank can shift even if its own mobility score remains constant, often due to other nations securing more visa-waiver agreements and advancing more rapidly.
Passport strength is influenced by a combination of factors, including robust diplomatic ties, reciprocal travel agreements, stringent border-security standards, and international confidence in a country’s documentation systems. Economic size or geopolitical influence alone do not dictate a passport's ranking.
Global Leaders in Passport Strength
Singapore maintains its position as the world's most powerful passport, offering access to 192 destinations. Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share the second spot, providing access to 188 destinations. European nations like Germany, France, and Spain each allow entry to over 185 destinations, while the United States and the United Kingdom continue to hold high rankings.
Recent Domestic Passport Developments
The latest ranking coincides with two significant domestic developments concerning passports in India. The Ministry of External Affairs recently clarified that a passport primarily serves as a travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship, a statement that sparked public discussion. Additionally, the government has revised passport charges for the first time in 14 years, with new rates effective from July 1.