
The Indian passport plays a crucial role in facilitating international travel and serving as a primary identity document. As of May 2025, the Indian passport ranks 69th globally according to the Passport Index by Arton Capital, and 85th in the Henley Passport Index. It provides access to over 60 visa-free destinations, including countries that offer Visa on Arrival and Electronic Travel Authorisation(ETA). In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that influence India's passport ranking, how it has changed over time, and what steps can be taken to improve its global standing.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
As of May 2025, India ranks 85th in the Henley Passport Index. We have also seen an improvement in the passport rank in the Henley Passport Index. According to the Passport Index 2024, India was ranked 84th in 2024 but has dropped slightly over the past year.
The Indian passport is essential for secure international travel — whether for personal, business, or medical purposes. However, low passport rankings can limit travel options, increase visa difficulties, and affect travel planning.
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 global passports, helping travelers identify the most and least powerful passports worldwide. It calculates each passport's global mobility score, or travel freedom, based on 27 travel destinations.
How Henley Calculates Passport Rankings:
India’s Henley Passport Rankings Over the Years
Year | Henley Passport Rank |
---|---|
2025 | 85 |
2024 | 84 |
2023 | 84 |
2022 | 83 |
2021 | 90 |
2020 | 82 |
2019 | 82 |
2018 | 81 |
2017 | 87 |
2016 | 85 |
The Global Passport Index (by Arton Capital) is another tool that ranks passports in real time. It calculates rankings using a 3-tier scoring method:
India’s Global Passport Rankings Over the Years:
Year | Rank |
---|---|
2025 | 69 |
2024 | 67 |
2023 | 67 |
2022 | 67 |
2021 | 73 |
2020 | 61 |
2019 | 71 |
2018 | 68 |
2017 | 72 |
2016 | 78 |
Here is the list of countries that offer visa-free entry to Indian passport holders, where you can visit without a visa.
*visa on arrival, **eTA
If you plan to travel to the following countries, you will need to obtain a valid visa.
What if our Passport ranks low in the Henley Passport Index? Then what are the effects of this on normal Indian passport holders?
🚫 Difficulty Traveling to Preferred Destinations: If you hold a low-ranking Indian passport or are from a visa-free country. Then you may have a problem choosing your favorite places, which can affect your entire planning.
🕒 Delays in Visa Processing: If India has a low ranking in the Henley Passport Index, then your visa application may take a longer processing time, which can directly affect a valid Indian Passport Holder.
💸 Higher Travel Costs: A low India Passport rank can result in high visa fees or travel costs, which will directly affect travelers and those planning a vacation or trip.
Some effects can be problematic for Indian passport holders if the rank of the Indian passport falls.
We have seen what the effects of the Indian Passport Ranks would be if they fall. Now, we will examine how to improve the Passport Index 2024 India ranking. Let me be clear: This is not possible with the normal citizen of India. The improvement can only be achieved through a consistent and effective government of India.
🤝 Strengthen International Relations: By fostering stronger international relations and maintaining good relations with other countries, the government can improve its passport ranking.
📈 Increase Global Trade: Engaging in more trade will lead to economic growth, which will directly impact India's passport ranking in 2025 and contribute to improving its ranking.
🌍 Participate in Global Activities: This is a good gesture that allows more people to interact with others from different countries. This will directly impact India's passport ranking in 2025 and help improve the country's global ranking.
Here are some key points for Indian passport holders to consider for a sustainable move that can lead to positive factors for the value of the Indian passport.
🔄 Improving International Relations: This will result in a more straightforward visa application process for Indian passport holders due to the good bonds between India and other countries.
💻 Digital Visa Processes: The new era of e-visas and a fast online application process, or digitalization of everything, will make life easier for those who hold an Indian Passport.
🧭 New Travel Norms and Visa Rules: New visa policies will help Indian passport holders to get a visa-free visa and apply for a visa-free country for Indian passport holders.
In this blog, we have seen India's Passport ranking in the world and how we can improve the ranking of the Indian passport. A passport plays a crucial role in your travel purposes. If you hold an Indian passport, you can visit more than 60 visa-free countries. However, if you don't have a valid visa or wish to apply for one, or an Indian Passport. Then, you can use the secure Visament website. It has an easy application process for passports and visas for Indians. You can also seek assistance from our experts through the Visament website to gain more information about OCI, visas, and Indian passports.
According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, India ranks at 79. It was improved from the previous Year's Passport Index.
Singapore's passport is the most powerful passport in 2025, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Currently Indian Passport ranks at the 79th position in the world's Passport Index. India ranks according to the Henley Passport Index.
Indian passport holders can visit a total of 57 visa-free countries with an Indian passport. for example, Iran, Nepal, Qatar, and Thailand.
Henley Passport Index is a passport ranking platform which includes 199 countries and rank all the passports according to the number of destinations people arrive.
Yes, if your country has a low-ranked Indian Passport, then you might not be able to get a top favourite place and have to pay a higher visa application fee.
Indian passport position changes every once in year according to the Henley passport Index. The current position of the Indian Passport is 79.
Yes, to improve the Indian passport ranking government has established a good connection with the neighboring countries, doing more trades, and participating in international activities.
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