Industry Odisha Bureau, July 24: In latest news, the Indian passport ranking has slipped again in the latest Henley Passport Index 2026. The country now ranks 81st globally, giving Indian passport holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations.
The July 2026 edition marks the 20th anniversary of the Henley Passport Index. The ranking tracks the global mobility of 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
India’s passport ranking has fluctuated throughout the year. It ranked 85th in the beginning of 2026, climbed to 75th in February, and slipped to 78th in May. The latest update places it at 81st.
The Henley passport index measures the number of destinations passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance. This includes countries offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival or e-visas.
Notably, Singapore continues to retain the top position globally. Their country passport provides visa free access to 192 destinations.
Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates jointly ranked second, with access to 188 destinations. The UAE recorded the biggest improvement since January, climbing three places in the latest edition.
Further, the United States ranked 10th, with its passport offering access to 180 destinations.
According to the index, the average passport has become significantly stronger over the past two decades. Visa-free access has nearly doubled. It has risen from an average of 58 destinations in 2006 to 108 destinations in 2026.
