Henley Passport Index 2025: India Ranks 80th, Singapore Tops the List

India’s Passport Holds 80th Rank Globally

Henley Passport Index 2025: India Ranks 80th, Singapore Tops the List: According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, India holds the 80th position globally in terms of passport strength. This rank remains unchanged from the previous year and places India alongside Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Tajikistan. Indian passport holders can now travel to 62 countries either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. Despite gradual improvements over the years, India still lags behind several of its neighboring nations in South Asia.

Singapore Emerges as the World Leader

Singapore has claimed the top spot in the 2025 rankings, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations out of 227. This gives Singaporeans the most powerful passport globally. It overtakes several strong contenders including Japan and South Korea, who jointly hold the second position with access to 190 destinations. Japan regained access to China this year, a move seen as a significant post-COVID diplomatic shift.

India’s Position Compared to Its Neighbors

While India’s rank stands at 80, some neighboring countries have seen significant changes. China is ranked 59th, showing steady improvement over the last decade. Other South Asian countries such as Bhutan (83rd), Sri Lanka (91st), and Bangladesh (93rd) are ranked below India. Pakistan (96th) and Afghanistan (99th) continue to feature at the bottom, with Afghanistan having visa-free access to only 25 countries.

Countries With Strong and Weak Passport Access

Apart from Singapore, other top-ranking passports include several European nations like Finland, Germany, France, and Spain, all ranked third with access to 189 countries. On the other hand, the bottom three passports belong to Afghanistan (99th), Syria (98th), and Iraq (97th). These countries continue to face serious global travel restrictions, often due to internal conflicts and diplomatic isolation.

Gainers and Decliners in Global Mobility

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as one of the biggest gainers, climbing to the 8th position with access to 185 destinations, a jump of 72 places over the last decade. China also made notable progress, rising from 94th in 2015 to 59th in 2025. On the flip side, Venezuela and the United States experienced declines. The U.S., once a top-ranked passport issuer, has now dropped to 9th, reflecting changes in visa agreements and global mobility dynamics.

What the Index Reflects About Global Trends

The Henley Passport Index is based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data and evaluates visa-free and visa-on-arrival access. The index reflects both diplomatic relations and the level of global trust in a country’s security and economic policies. Countries with greater geopolitical influence, efficient governance, and strong bilateral ties tend to rank higher. The index is updated quarterly, tracking how countries gain or lose mobility rights based on international agreements.

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