India&rsquo;s passport has slipped to the 85th position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, allowing visa-free access to 57 countries, down from 59 last year. The index, published by Henley &amp; Partners, measures global travel freedom based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa.
Singapore tops the 2025 list with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea and Japan, highlighting Asia&rsquo;s continued dominance in global mobility. European nations such as Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland also retain their top positions due to strong diplomatic ties and open travel policies.
Over the years, India&rsquo;s passport strength has fluctuated significantly, from a high of rank 71 in 2006 to a low of 90 in 2021. In 2024, it stood at 80th. Currently, Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to destinations like Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago. Another 27 countries, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Jordan, Qatar, and Ethiopia, offer visas on arrival.
Among India&rsquo;s neighbours, Bhutan ranks 92nd, Nepal 101st, Bangladesh 100th, and Pakistan 103rd. Bhutan leads the region with visa-free access to 50 countries.
Meanwhile, the United States has fallen to 12th place, its lowest ranking in two decades. Despite offering visa-free travel to 180 destinations, the US grants reciprocal access to only 46 countries, weakening its global standing.
At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the world&rsquo;s weakest passport, followed by Syria and Iraq.
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India drops to 85th spot in 2025 Henley Passport Index with access to 57 countries

India’s Passport Slips to 85th Rank

India drops to 85th spot in 2025 Henley Passport Index with access to 57 countries

October 16, 2025 | 24:06 IST