India’s global mobility standing has improved significantly in 2026, with the Indian passport moving up 10 places to secure the 75th rank in the latest Henley Passport Index.
According to the 2026 edition of the Index, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 destinations worldwide. This marks a notable improvement from India’s 85th position in 2025. The country was ranked 80th in 2024, 84th in 2023, and 90th in 2021 — reflecting a steady upward trend in recent years.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a prior visa. The rankings are compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). A lower numerical rank indicates greater travel freedom.
Singapore continues to hold the top position in 2026, granting its citizens visa-free access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea follow in second place, offering access to 187 and 186 destinations respectively. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking with visa-free access to 24 countries.
56 Countries Accessible to Indian Passport Holders
Indian travelers can now visit the following 56 countries without needing a pre-arranged visa (including visa-on-arrival and electronic travel authorization facilities):
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.
The Index assesses 199 passports against 227 global destinations. For each destination, a passport receives a score of one if its holder can enter without a visa, obtain a visa on arrival, secure an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or receive a visitor’s permit upon entry. If a visa must be obtained in advance, the score is zero.
India’s improved ranking signals gradual strengthening of its global travel access and reflects expanding diplomatic and mobility agreements worldwide.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
