India’s passport jumped to 75th position in the February 2026 Henley Passport Index, moving up 10 spots from last year’s 85th rank. This marks solid progress despite Indian travelers losing access to two destinations.
For those planning trips soon, this ranking improvement reflects India’s growing diplomatic reach, particularly in Southeast Asia (with extended visa-free stays in Thailand and Malaysia through 2026) and parts of Africa. However, major zones like the Schengen area, the US, and the UK still require standard, pre-approved visa processes for Indian citizens.
India’s Passport Ranking Overview
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Rank | 75th | 85th | ↑ 10 positions |
| Visa-Free Destinations | 56 | 57 | ↓ 1 country |
| Countries Added | The Gambia | – | +1 |
| Countries Lost | Iran, Bolivia | – | -2 |
| Historical Best Rank | 71st (2006) | – | – |
Top 10 Global Passport Rankings 2026
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Singapore | 192 |
| 2nd | Japan, South Korea | 187 |
| 3rd | Sweden, UAE | 186 |
| 4th | France | 185 |
| 5th | Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain | 184 |
| 6th | Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands | 183 |
| 7th | Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, UK | 182 |
| 8th | Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland | 181 |
| 9th | Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland | 180 |
| 10th | Canada, Hungary, United States | 179 |
South Asian & Regional Comparison
| Country | Global Rank | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives | 49th | 93 |
| China | 56th | 82 |
| India | 75th | 56 |
| Bhutan | 83rd | 48 |
| Myanmar | 88th | 43 |
| Pakistan | 103rd | 34 |
| Bangladesh | 97th | 41 |
| Nepal | 102nd | 37 |
Recent Visa Policy Changes for India
| Country | Change | Status | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Extended visa-free stay to 60 days | Active | 2025 |
| Sri Lanka | Extended visa-free stay to 60 days | Active | 2025 |
| Kazakhstan | Extended visa-free stay to 60 days | Active | 2025 |
| Kenya | Removed visa requirement | Active | 2024 |
| Rwanda | Removed visa requirement | Active | 2024 |
| Iran | Suspended visa-free entry | Removed | November 2025 |
| Bolivia | Switched to mandatory e-visa | Changed | 2025 |
| The Gambia | Restored visa-free access | Active | February 2026 |
The Numbers Tell an Interesting Story
Indian passport holders can now visit 56 countries without a visa in advance. The February update added The Gambia back after it briefly disappeared in January. However, the total dropped to 57 countries in 2025.
Iran stopped visa-free entry for Indians in November 2025 over fraud and trafficking worries. Bolivia switched to a mandatory e-visa system that requires online approval, replacing its earlier visa-on-arrival system.
How Rankings Work
The Henley Index compares all passports. India moved up because other countries lost even more destinations. The ranking system evaluates 199 passports across 227 travel destinations using International Air Transport Association data.
India shares 75th place with Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania. The country still sits below its best performance of 71st position back in 2006.
Global Leaders Stay Strong
Singapore leads with 192 visa-free destinations. Japan and South Korea tie for second with 187 countries each. Sweden and the UAE follow in third with 186 destinations.
France ranks fourth with 185 destinations. The United Kingdom ranks seventh among 182 countries. The United States ranks tenth with 179 destinations.
Regional Neighbors Comparison
Maldives performs best among South Asian nations, ranking 49th with 93 destinations. China ranks 56th among 82 countries. Bhutan ranks 83rd with 48 destinations. Myanmar occupies 88th position among 43 countries.
What Changed for Indian Travelers
Recent diplomatic wins helped the ranking. Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan extended visa-free stays to 60 days. Kenya and Rwanda removed visa requirements for Indian tourists. Caribbean nations, including Barbados and Dominica, confirmed that they offer visa-on-arrival access.
The ranking shows steady diplomatic progress, opening more travel opportunities for Indians worldwide.