Henley Passport Index India Ranking: India’s passport has improved its global standing, moving up to the 65th spot in the latest Henley Passport Index for February 2026. At the beginning of the year, it was ranked 80th. The Henley Passport Index regularly assesses passports worldwide based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
The latest jump indicates a steady strengthening of the Indian passport over recent years. While nearly 200 countries are evaluated in the index, long-standing leaders like the United States and the United Kingdom have seen their positions decline. Meanwhile, several Asian countries, including Singapore, have surged ahead, leading the ranking in terms of global travel access.
Henley Passport Index 2026: Top 10 Powerful Passports
| Rank | Country/Countries | Visa-Free Access |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan, South Korea | 187 |
| 3 | Sweden, United Arab Emirates | 186 |
| 4 | Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland | 185 |
| 5 | Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal | 184 |
| 6 | Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia | 183 |
| 7 | Australia, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, United Kingdom | 182 |
| 8 | Canada, Liechtenstein, Lithuania | 181 |
| 9 | Iceland | 180 |
| 10 | United States of America | 179 |
What Is Henley Passport Index?
Released by Henley & Partners, the Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports against 227 global destinations, ranking them based on the number of places passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance.
The index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and factors in visa-free access, visa-on-arrival facilities, and electronic travel authorisations while calculating its rankings.
Henley Passport Index 2026: India Lost These Two Countries
In 2025, Indian passport holders could travel to 57 destinations without obtaining a prior visa, including visa-on-arrival and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) facilities. However, the number declined to 55 by January 26, 2026, before slightly improving to 56 in February 2026.
The drop was primarily due to changes in visa policies by Iran and Bolivia.
Iran withdrew visa-free access for holders of ordinary Indian passports in November 2025. The move came after multiple cases of fraud and human trafficking, where Indian nationals were reportedly enticed to the country with fake job offers and subsequently abducted for ransom.
Manisha Chauhan is a passionate journalist with 3 years of experience in the media industry, covering everything from trending entertainment buzz and celebrity spotlights to thought-provoking book reviews and practical health tips. Known for blending fresh perspectives with reader-friendly writing, she creates content that informs, entertains, and inspires. When she’s not chasing the next viral story, you’ll find her diving into a good book or exploring new wellness trends.
