Indian Passport ranking slips in 2025: What it means for travellers

In a recent update, India's passport has seen a notable dip in ranking from last year. India's passport is ranked 85th in the Henley Passport Index in 2025 while in 2024 it was at 80th position.

This marks a decline from its previous ranking, where Indian passport holders had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 60 nations. In 2025, the Indian passport holder can access 57 destinations worldwide.What it means for travellersIt clearly means decline in global mobility. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa using data from the Air Transport Association (IATA).

Despite this, India has made significant improvements in its passport strength in recent years. Countries Indian passport holders can visit

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders in 2025 include:AngolaBarbadosBhutanBolivia (Visa on Arrival)British Virgin IslandsBurundi (Visa on Arrival)Cambodia (Visa on Arrival)Cape Verde Islands (Visa on Arrival)Comoro Islands (Visa on Arrival)Cook IslandsDjibouti (Visa on Arrival)DominicaEthiopia (Visa on Arrival)FijiGrenadaGuinea-Bissau (Visa on Arrival)HaitiIndonesia (Visa on Arrival)IranJamaicaJordan (Visa on Arrival)KazakhstanKenya (Electronic Travel Authorization)KiribatiLaos (Visa on Arrival)Macao (SAR China)Madagascar (Visa on Arrival)MalaysiaMaldivesMarshall Islands (Visa on Arrival)MauritiusMicronesiaMongolia (Visa on Arrival)MontserratMozambique (Visa on Arrival)Myanmar (Visa on Arrival)NepalNiue (Visa on Arrival)Palau Islands (Visa on Arrival)PhilippinesQatar (Visa on Arrival)RwandaSamoa (Visa on Arrival)SenegalSeychellesSierra Leone (Visa on Arrival)Sri Lanka (Visa on Arrival)St. Kitts and NevisSt. Lucia (Visa on Arrival)St. Vincent and the GrenadinesTanzania (Visa on Arrival)ThailandTimor-Leste (Visa on Arrival)Trinidad and TobagoTuvalu (Visa on Arrival)VanuatuZimbabwe (Visa on Arrival)Difference between Visa-Free, Visa-on-Arrival, and eTA

Visa-Free: No visa needed; entry allowed upon arrival.

Visa-on-Arrival: Visa issued at the port of entry; may require supporting documents and fees.eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): Online application required before travel; approval granted electronically.India's Passport Ranking

While India's passport has improved its rank, it still is behind several countries. For instance, Singapore holds the top position, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 destinations. Other leading passports include Japan and South Korea, allowing access to 190 destinations, and several European countries such as Germany, France, and Spain, offering access to 189 destinations.India's neighboring countries have varying levels of passport strength. Nepal and Bhutan offer access only to 36 and 50 destinations, respectivelyWith an improved strength, it is suggested that Indians should explore lesser-known countries such as Rwanda, Georgia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Such nations offer unique experiences with visa-free access to Indians.