In the latest Henley Passport Index released for 2025, India’s passport slipped to the 85th position, from 80th position last year, offering visa-free access to 57 countries — down from 59 last year. Notably, the United States, once the leader in global passport strength, has fallen out of the top 10 for the first time in twenty years, now ranking 12th.
The Henley Passport Index is a widely recognised global ranking that measures the travel freedom of citizens by assessing how many destinations they can enter without a visa or with visa-on-arrival privileges. The index covers 199 passports worldwide, reflecting international mobility trends and visa policies.
Singapore has taken the top spot this year, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 193 destinations. Following closely are South Korea and Japan, underscoring Asia’s increasing prominence in global travel and diplomacy.
Several European countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland continue to maintain strong positions within the top 10, benefiting from stable diplomatic relations and open border policies.
India’s passport has seen a decline, dropping five places from 80th last year to 85th in 2025. Indian travellers currently enjoy visa-free access to 12 countries, including Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, Indian citizens can obtain visas on arrival in 27 countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan, Qatar, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Samoa, Tanzania, and Timor-Leste.
Historically, India’s ranking has fluctuated significantly, reaching as high as 71st in 2006 and dipping to 90th in 2021. The passport’s mobility remains moderate, reflecting both opportunities and restrictions faced by Indian travellers globally.
Among South Asian nations, Bhutan holds a relatively stronger passport at 92nd place, offering visa-free entry to 50 countries. Nepal and Bangladesh are ranked 101st and 100th respectively, with access to 36 and 38 countries without a visa. Pakistan lags at 103rd, with only 31 visa-free destinations available to its passport holders.
The United States, which topped the rankings in 2014, has experienced a significant decline, now sitting at 12th place. One reason cited for this drop is the imbalance between the number of countries Americans can visit visa-free (180) and the reciprocal access the US offers to foreign nationals. The US currently grants visa-free entry to only 46 countries, placing it 77th globally in terms of openness.
This disparity has led to retaliatory visa policies from several nations. Brazil, for example, reintroduced visa requirements for US citizens in 2024 after the US failed to reciprocate similar access. Likewise, Vietnam and China, which have expanded visa-free travel options to many countries, notably excluded the US from their lists. Smaller countries such as Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Somalia have also limited visa-free access for Americans.
At the lower end of the index, Afghanistan remains the country with the least powerful passport, allowing visa-free access to just 24 destinations. Syria and Iraq follow closely with 26 and 29 visa-free countries respectively, reflecting ongoing challenges related to conflict and diplomatic isolation.