Is India’s Passport Losing Strength? Henley Passport Index 2025 Reveals Drop in Ranking

New Delhi: The Indian passport has dropped five places, from 80th to 85th, in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, published by Henley & Partners. According to the updated rankings, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to only 57 countries, marking a significant decline compared to 62 countries in 2024. This is the lowest level of access for Indian citizens since 2017, when they could travel to just 49 nations without a visa.

India’s passport ranking hasn’t been this low since 2021, when it was positioned at 90th with visa-free access to 58 destinations. Following a gradual improvement, peaking at 80th place in 2024, the Indian passport has now slipped to its current position. In 2025, 155 countries offer better global mobility than India. Sharing its 85th rank are Equatorial Guinea and Niger, both offering visa-free access to 57 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index, which covers 199 passports and 227 destinations, is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and spans nearly two decades of historical data.

Comparison with Pakistan and Other Neighbours

The Pakistani passport ranks far lower, at 103rd, with visa-free access to just 33 countries. Pakistan shares its ranking with Yemen, a nation embroiled in civil conflict since 2014. In contrast, the Maldivian passport leads in South Asia with visa-free access to 94 countries, securing the 53rd position. Bangladesh ranks 100th with access to 40 nations, while Nepal follows at 101st, allowing travel to 39 countries without a visa. Bhutan’s passport offers visa-free travel to 52 destinations, and Sri Lanka grants access to 44.

The World’s Most Powerful Passports

Singapore retains its top position in 2025, providing visa-free access to 195 destinations out of 227. Japan ranks second with access to 193 countries. France, Germany, and Italy, which shared the top spot with Singapore in 2024, have slipped to third place with visa-free entry to 192 destinations. Other countries tied in third position include Finland, South Korea, and Spain.

The fourth spot is shared by Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, with visa-free access to 191 countries. The United Kingdom, once among the most powerful passports, now ranks fifth, with access to 190 destinations.

Notably, outside of Europe, only Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand are in the top 20. Meanwhile, the United States has experienced a significant drop, moving from 2nd place a decade ago to 9th in 2025, with visa-free access to 186 destinations. In contrast, China’s passport has risen 34 positions in ten years, now ranking 60th with access to 85 countries.

Factors Behind the Decline

Annie Pforzheimer, Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, attributes the decline in U.S. passport strength to isolationist policies and economic strategies focusing on tariffs and deportations. She warns that continued inward-looking policies under a potential second Trump administration could further weaken American global mobility, while China’s openness is likely to enhance its soft power on the global stage.

Visa Rejections

South Asian nations, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Syria, face some of the highest Schengen visa rejection rates. The most rejections, however, are reported from African nations, including Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Mali, Sudan, and Senegal.