India’s passport has slipped to 81st place in the latest Henley Passport Index 2026, down six positions from the 75th place it reached in the February 2026 edition. The updated index, published on July 21, keeps ranking passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without getting a visa in advance.
Despite the decline in ranking, Indian passport holders still have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations, maintaining the same level of travel access as before.
What is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index is one of the most widely used passport rankings. It is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and weighs 199 passports against 227 destinations worldwide.
The rankings are based solely on the number of destinations passport holders can enter without a visa before departure, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) access if applicable.
Why did India's ranking drop?
India's fall from 75th to 81st does not necessarily mean that Indian passport holders have lost access to destinations. In fact, the ranking can change because:
Other countries gained visa-free access to additional destinations. Multiple countries improved their bilateral travel agreements. The overall global ranking became more competitive. Several passports moved ahead despite India's travel access remaining unchanged.
As a result, India’s passport is now at a lower level in the world ranking despite access to 55 destinations.
World’s Strongest Passports in 2026
According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Singapore remains the world’s strongest passport, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the most destinations globally.
Other countries consistently occupying top places include:
- Japan,
- South Korea,
- Germany,
- France,
- Italy,
- Spain,
- Finland.
These passports allow citizens of the countries to travel to more than 190 destinations without any prior visa.
What the Ranking Means for Indian Travellers?
While India's ranking has fallen, Indian citizens can still travel to dozens of countries without getting a visa in advance.
Some of the popular destinations for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for Indian passport holders include several countries in:
Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, Oceania.
But travel to many major destinations, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most European Schengen countries, still requires a visa before departure.
Passport Rankings Reflect Global Mobility
The Henley Passport Index is often used to assess a country's global movement and diplomatic ties. Passports with broader visa waiver agreements tend to be more portable and allow people with more international travel to go abroad.
India continues to expand its diplomatic relations with several countries, and such bilateral agreements could enhance visa access and improve India’s passport ranking in the next few years.
Although the ranking places India at 81st in the world, the passport is still a valuable travel document for millions of Indians to travel to 55 international destinations without the need for a traditional visa before travel.
