Henley Passport Index 2025

Source:  IE

Context: According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the Indian passport has jumped eight spots, moving from 85th to 77th rank, now offering visa-free access to 59 countries.

About Henley Passport Index 2025:

• What is it?

• • The Henley Passport Index is a global mobility ranking that measures the number of destinations a passport holder can access without a prior visa.
  • It is widely used to assess the travel freedom and diplomatic strength of a country.

• Published by:

• • The index is compiled by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm.
  • It is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), supplemented by in-house research.

• Criteria Used:

• • Passports are ranked by the number of countries accessible without a pre-arranged visa (including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorizations).
  • 227 destinations are considered in total.

• Key Global Trends in 2025 Rankings:

• • Top Performers:
    • Singapore ranks 1st with visa-free access to 193 countries.
    • Japan and South Korea share 2nd position with access to 190 destinations.
    • Several European nations—Germany, France, Italy—dominate the top 5.
  • Major Climbers:
    • UAE surged from 42nd to 8th place in a decade.
    • China jumped from 94th to 60th since 2015.
    • Saudi Arabia gained access to 91 destinations, up by 4 in 2025.
  • Lowest Rank: Afghanistan remains at the bottom, offering access to only 25 destinations.
  • Declining Powers: USA fell to 10th place; UK stands at 6th, both losing past top ranks.

• India’s Passport Performance:

• • Current Rank: 77th (up from 85th in 2024).
  • Visa-Free Access: 59 countries, including Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand.
  • Visa-on-Arrival: Offered in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Macau, etc.
  • Historical Trend:
    • Lowest: 90th in 2021
    • Best: 71st in 2006
  • Improvement Factors: Enhanced bilateral ties, growing economic footprint, and digital visa facilitation.