The Henley Passport Index 2025 reveals that India’s passport has dropped five places, now ranking 85th globally. Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 57 destinations, sharing the position with Equatorial Guinea and Niger. Singapore continues to top the rankings with visa-free access to 195 destinations.

The top 10 list is largely dominated by European countries, with Japan, South Korea, and Finland making notable appearances. A significant change in this year’s rankings includes the UAE, which jumped 32 places to 10th, securing visa-free access to 185 destinations. Meanwhile, the US saw a sharp decline, falling from 2nd to 9th place due to the country's inward political trends.

On the other hand, countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria remain at the bottom of the index, with limited global mobility. Afghanistan, in particular, remains at the very bottom, with the largest mobility gap in the index's 19-year history.

India’s passport ranking has fluctuated over time, reaching its peak at 71st in 2006. The country’s rank dropped significantly during the pandemic in 2021, but it had shown signs of recovery until the recent drop to 85th in 2025.