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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Indian passport climbs 8 spots to rank 77, visa-free access to 59 nations
The Indian passport has climbed eight places to the 77th spot globally in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025 released on Tuesday. Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 countries without needing to apply for a visa in advance. Last year, India had dropped five spots, but it has regained ground by adding just two more destinations to its list of visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries. According to the report, Singapore holds the distinction of being the world's most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 193 destinations out of 227 globally. The third place is occupied by seven European Union passports — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain — with visa-free entry to 189 countries. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden jointly hold fourth place, with 188 destinations on their list. The fifth position is held by New Zealand, along with Greece and Switzerland. Henley & Partners' Chief Executive Officer Dr Juerg Steffen said the passport has become a measure of a country's diplomatic influence. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever,' he said.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Indian passport sees highest climb on global index. 59 countries now visa-free
The strength of the Indian passport dropped five spots last year. But this year, it has made the largest jump by climbing eight places - from 85th to 77th - according to the Henley Passport Index 2025 that was unveiled on July report ranks all the world's passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. India has visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 few places that allow visa-free access to Indian passport holders are: Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand amongst others. Meanwhile, there are other countries that have visa-on-arrival (VOA) - Sri Lanka, Macau, Myanmar and others. VOA or visa-free access can be time and purpose-specific. Therefore, always check the requirements before planning your dominatesThe latest insights from the Henley Passport Index reveal a significant transformation in mobility across the globe, with Asian countries taking the emerges as a frontrunner, providing visa-free entry to 193 places - proof of the country's effective diplomacy, boosting travel Japan and South Korea remain competitive, each permitting travel to 190 destinations, further establishing Asia's prominence in passport Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, the inventor of the passport index concept, explains, "The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy."Asian nations continue to elevate their standing in global mobility, with the UAE making considerable advancements. Over the past decade, it has leapt 34 positions to secure 8th place China has made substantial progress too, advancing from 94th to 60th since 2015. By extending visa-free arrangements to over a dozen new nations, including parts of the Gulf and South America, China showcases its global travel nationsWhile the Asian countries continue to lead, the European contingent is going strong EU nations, with access to 189 destinations, are in third place - Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and set of seven EU countries — Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — have collectively seized the 4th position in the worldwide passport rankings. They provide their citizens with visa-free entry to 188 the other end of the global mobility spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking, with its citizens able to access just 25 destinations without a prior visa — a staggering mobility gap of 168 destinations between the top- and bottom-ranked the US and UK experience a downturn in passport influence, now positioned at 10th and 6th respectively. Previously dominant in global mobility, these established powers are now eclipsed by emerging nations forming strategic partnerships to broaden travel freedoms. This trend has led to an increase in citizens exploring dual citizenship and lifestyle migration as viable alternatives.- Ends
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
India climbs 8 spots in 2025 Henley Passport Index, now ranks 77th
In a big win for Indian travellers, the Indian passport has jumped eight spots to secure the 77th position in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025. This means Indian citizens can now access 59 countries without needing a a decent jump from last year, when India was ranked 85th. The ranking is based on how many destinations a country's passport holder can enter without a prior Henley Passport Index, which is updated quarterly, uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to rank 199 passports around the COUNTRIES CAN INDIANS VISIT VISA-FREE NOW? With the 2025 update, Indian passport holders can now travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations. These include some tourist favourites, like Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Kenya, and countries like the United States, Schengen States, the United Kingdom, and Australia still require Indians to apply for visas before DO OTHER MAJOR COUNTRIES STAND IN 2025?The 2025 index places France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain at the top, all tied at Rank 1, with visa-free access to 194 the UK is at Rank 4, and the US shares the 6th position with Canada and others. At the other end of the list is Afghanistan, ranked 104th, with visa-free access to just 28 HAS INDIA'S PASSPORT RANKING IMPROVED?While Henley & Partners hasn't specifically listed reasons for India's improved score, the change is likely due to growing diplomatic engagements and bilateral agreements that help improve travel access for Indian a welcome boost for students, tourists, and business travellers looking for easier movement across IS THE HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX?The Henley Passport Index is considered one of the most respected global rankings of travel freedom. It ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without a important to note that visa-free access doesn't necessarily mean complete entry without documentation. Sometimes, travellers still need electronic travel authorisation or must get a visa upon arrival.- Ends
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan remains among worst passports in Henley's latest ranking
Pakistan's passport continues to languish near the bottom of the Henley Passport Index 2025 – fourth-worst – ahead of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, according to the latest global rankings released on Tuesday. Singapore retained the title of the world's most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 193 destinations out of 227 globally, according to the index. The index includes data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks all the world's passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. Asian nations continue to lead the global mobility race, with Japan and South Korea sharing 2nd place, each granting their citizens access to 190 destinations visa-free. A contingent of European countries occupied the rest of the Top 5. Seven EU passports share 3rd place – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, all with access to 189 destinations. UAE was ranked 8th with a mobility score of 184, and the only country in the Middle East in the top 10. The UAE continues to be a standout among the top risers, shooting up 34 places over the last 10 years from 42nd to 8th place. Last month, Pakistan and the UAE signed a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passports. Pakistani passport fourth-worst in the world: Henley Passport Index Dr Christian H. Kaelin, the inventor of the passport index concept, said the latest Henley Passport Index had revealed an increasingly competitive landscape in global mobility. 'The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned – and must be maintained– through active and strategic diplomacy,' she was quoted as saying in the press release issued by Henley on Tuesday. 'Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.' Biggest movers and shakers The UK and US have each dropped a place in the global passport rankings since January, continuing a long-term downward trend. Once the most powerful passports in the world – the UK in 2015 and the US in 2014 – they now rank 6th and 10th, respectively. The UK currently has visa-free access to 186 destinations, while the US trails with 182. Notably, the US is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index's 20-year history. India has recorded the largest jump in ranking over the past six months, climbing eight places from 85th to 77th, while Saudi Arabia has made the biggest gain in visa-free access, adding four destinations since January. Its total now stands at 91, lifting the kingdom four places to 54th. Pakistan, UAE sign visa exemption agreement for select passport holders
News18
a day ago
- News18
Henley Passport Index 2025: India Climbs To 77th, Visa-Free Access To 59 Nations
Last Updated: India has risen from 85th to 77th in the Henley Passport Index, enabling visa-free travel to 59 destinations. Singapore tops the list with access to 193 destinations. Henley Passport Index 2025: India has made a significant jump in the Henley Passport Index, climbing eight places from 85th to 77th. The remarkable jump came in just six months. Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 destinations without a prior visa — two more than in January, it added. Asia Dominates Global Mobility At the top, Singapore continues to lead the global mobility race, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations — the highest of any passport. Japan and South Korea follow closely at second place with access to 190 destinations each. European and Gulf Nations Also Strong Seven EU countries — including Germany, France, and Italy — occupy third place with 189 visa-free destinations. Meanwhile, the UAE has made a historic leap over the past decade, rising 34 spots to 8th place, and now offers visa-free access to 183 destinations. Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman have also gained more freedom, particularly due to new visa arrangements with China. In contrast, the US and UK have continued their downward trend. Once world leaders in passport strength, they now sit at 10th and 6th places, respectively. The US is at risk of dropping out of the Top 10 altogether. Looking at the past decade, with so many passports gaining power and rising on the Henley Passport Index, only 16 have fallen in rank. The biggest faller is Venezuela, which plunged 15 places from 30th to 45th, followed the US (down 8 places), Vanuatu (-6 places), the UK (-5 places), and Canada (-4 places). As emerging economies liberalize their visa regimes and invest in diplomatic capital, legacy powers like the UK and the US appear to be retreating behind more restrictive entry policies, Henley Passport Index 2025 report said. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
