India’s passport now ranks 85th globally, marking a decline from 77th position just months earlier.
India has experienced a decline in its passport ranking, dropping to the 85th position out of 199 countries in the latest report from the Henley Passport Index. This new ranking is a noticeable fall from its previous position of 77 in July. The Henley Passport Index, released quarterly by the consultancy firm Henley and Partners, evaluates the strength of passports based on the number of destinations accessible to a country’s citizens without requiring a pre-departure visa.
According to the latest findings, Indian passport holders can now travel to only 57 countries without needing a visa. This represents a decrease from the previous year when they could access 62 countries visa-free. In the context of the index, India’s passport ranked 80th last year, indicating a gradual decline over time.
Historical data from Henley and Partners reveals a concerning trend for India’s passport strength. The lowest ranking recorded was 90th in 2021, while the highest position was 71st in 2006. The rankings of neighboring countries also reflect varying levels of passport strength. Pakistan currently holds the 103rd position, which is a decline from its previous rank of 96 in July. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is positioned at 100.
In contrast, Singapore continues to lead the index with the most powerful passport, granting its citizens access to 193 countries without a visa requirement. South Korea follows closely behind in second place, offering visa-free access to 190 destinations, while Japan ranks third with access to 189 countries.
This year has also marked a significant change for the United States. For the first time in the index’s two-decade history, the U.S. passport is no longer among the top ten most powerful passports globally. The U.S. has seen a consistent drop in its ranking since 2014, when it held the top position. Currently, the U.S. is tied for 12th place with Malaysia, allowing its citizens visa-free access to only 180 out of 227 destinations.
Amid these shifts, the weakest passport remains that of Afghanistan, which allows its citizens to visit just 24 countries without a visa. The changes in passport rankings highlight the evolving landscape of global mobility and the various factors that can influence a nation’s standing in terms of travel accessibility.
