India’s Passport Surges To 75th in Global Index, Opens Door To 56 Countries Without Visa

New Delhi : India has moved up significantly in the global passport strength rankings for 2026, rising to the 75th position on the Henley Passport Index, a jump of ten places compared with its standing in the previous year, according to data. This improvement reflects greater travel freedom for Indian citizens, who can now enter 56 countries either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival arrangements.

The Henley Passport Index, a widely respected benchmark of global mobility, evaluates passports by the number of destinations their holders can reach without applying for a visa in advance. India’s advancement to 75th spot from 85th in 2025 signals a recovery in international access after recent years of slower movement on the rankings.

For Indian travellers, the enhanced ranking means easier access to countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania without facing stringent pre-departure visa requirements. Among the destinations offering simplified entry are popular leisure and business locations where Indians can enjoy either visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival options.

Despite this progress, India’s position still falls short of its historical peak in the rankings, which it last achieved in 2006 when the passport reached 71st place. Nonetheless, the rise to 75th this year is seen as a positive step for global mobility, reflecting incremental gains in bilateral agreements and international travel norms.

Globally, passports from countries like Singapore, Japan and South Korea continue to dominate the top spots in the Henley Index, offering their citizens access to a significantly higher number of visa-free destinations. Even so, India’s latest improvement marks an upward trajectory for its travel freedom on the world stage. 

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