India slips to 85th position in Henley Passport Index 2025; see list of top 10 passports

Global citizenship and residence advisory company Henley & Partners has ranked Indian passport at 85^th position in 2025 with visa-free access to 57 countries.

The list of countries giving on-arrival visa to Indians:

1. Angola
2. Barbados
3. Bhutan
4. Bolivia
5. British Virgin Islands
6. Burundi
7. Cambodia
8. Cape Verde Islands
9. Comoro Islands
10. Cook Islands
11. Djibouti
12. Dominica
13. Ethiopia
14. Fiji
15. Grenada
16. Guinea-Bissau
17. Haiti
18. Indonesia
19. Iran
20. Jamaica
21. Jordan
22. Kazakhstan
23. Kenya
24. Kiribati
25. Laos
26. Macao (SAR China)
27. Madagascar
28. Malaysia
29. Maldives
30. Marshall Islands
31. Mauritius
32. Micronesia
33. Mongolia
34. Montserrat
35. Mozambique
36. Myanmar
37. Nepal
38. Niue
39. Palau Islands
40. Philippines
41. Qatar
42. Rwanda
43. Samoa
44. Senegal
45. Seychelles
46. Sierra Leone
47. Sri Lanka
48. Kitts and Nevis
49. Lucia
50. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
51. Tanzania
52. Thailand
53. Timor-Leste
54. Trinidad and Tobago
55. Tuvalu
56. Vanuatu
57. Zimbabwe

In 2024, India was ranked 80^th, while its best-ever position was 71^st in 2006.

The Henley Passport Index rankings are based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

Meanwhile, Singapore has reclaimed the title of the world’s most powerful passport, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 destinations.

South Korea and Japan follow closely behind, offering visa-free travel to 190 and 189 countries, respectively.

The UAE has made a notable leap, moving from 10th to 8th place, allowing its citizens visa-free access to 184 destinations. China has also climbed steadily over the past decade, rising from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025.

The US, on the other hand, has seen a decline, dropping to 12th position, tied with Malaysia, with visa-free access to 180 destinations. The UK now ranks 8th, its lowest-ever position on the index.

Henley Passport Index: Top 10 passports in 2025

1. Singapore — 193
2. South Korea — 190
3. Japan — 189
4. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland — 188
5. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands — 187
6. Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 186
7. Australia, Czechia, Malta, Poland – 185
8. Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, UK – 184
9. Canada, Latvia – 182

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports worldwide, based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Experts say that a strong passport not only reflects diplomatic influence but also affects global mobility for citizens in business, education, and leisure travel.