India’s passport has dropped five places in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, ranking 85th globally with visa-free access to 57 countries. The fall marks a decline from last year’s position at 80th, when Indian citizens could travel to 62 destinations without a prior visa.

The Henley Passport Index, compiled by the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter visa-free.

Singapore Holds The Top Spot Again

Singapore has once again been ranked as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free entry to 193 destinations. South Korea follows in second place with access to 190 countries, while Japan — which previously dominated the list for several consecutive years — now ranks third with 189 visa-free destinations.

Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland share the fourth position, each providing visa-free access to 188 countries. The fifth rank is held jointly by Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands, whose citizens can enter 187 nations without a visa.

Top 10 Passports Of 2025

Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden are tied at sixth place (186 destinations), while Australia, Czechia, Malta, and Poland share seventh place (185). Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom are grouped at eighth (184), followed by Canada in ninth (183). Latvia and Liechtenstein round off the top 10 with visa-free access to 182 destinations.

In a significant shift, the United States — once a regular in the top tier — has slipped to 12th place, alongside Malaysia, with visa-free access to 180 destinations. This is the first time the US has fallen out of the top 10 since the index’s inception.

India’s Position Among Neighbours

India now shares its 85th rank with Mauritania. Several nations allow Indian passport holders to enter without a visa, including Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Iran, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Among South Asian countries, Pakistan ranks 103rd (31 destinations), Bangladesh 100th (38 destinations), Nepal 101st (36 destinations), Bhutan 92nd (50 destinations), and Sri Lanka 98th (41 destinations).

World’s Least Powerful Passports

At the bottom of the index are Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, whose citizens can visit only 24, 26, and 29 countries respectively without a visa.

About The Henley Passport Index

The Henley Passport Index—originally launched in 2005 as the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index—is an annual ranking based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It measures “global mobility freedom,” reflecting how many destinations each passport holder can enter without needing to obtain a visa in advance.