India’s passport has registered a significant improvement in global mobility rankings in 2026, reflecting a gradual recovery in international travel access after several years of fluctuation. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, India now ranks 75th worldwide, rising from 85th position in 2025. The improvement signals renewed momentum in international travel access as global mobility continues to normalise.
However, the update also presents a mixed picture. While India’s ranking has improved, the number of destinations accessible without prior visa approval remains slightly lower than last year, highlighting how evolving visa policies continue to shape global travel freedom for Indian citizens.
Key Highlights of India Passport Ranking 2026 and Visa-Free Access Changes
- India ranks 75th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, improving by 10 places from 2025.
- The Indian passport was ranked 80th in January 2026, making the latest rise more notable within a short period.
- Indian passport holders currently have access to 56 destinations without securing a visa in advance.
- The number of accessible destinations stood at 57 in 2025, dropped to 55 in January 2026, and later increased to 56 in February 2026.
- Iran and Bolivia no longer qualify as visa-free or easy-entry destinations under index methodology.
- The Gambia was added to the list in February 2026, partially offsetting earlier losses.
- India shares the 75th rank with countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar and Mauritania, as well as peers with similar mobility scores such as Algeria and Niger.
India’s Passport Recovery After Years of Decline
India’s mobility performance has seen notable swings over the past two decades. The Indian passport achieved its strongest-ever ranking of 71st in 2006, before gradually losing ground in subsequent years. Tighter global entry rules during and after the pandemic period pushed India down to 80th position in 2024, followed by a further decline to 85th in 2025.
The latest jump to 75th position suggests a slow but steady recovery in global mobility as travel restrictions ease and international travel partnerships expand. Despite the improvement, India’s current position remains below its historical peak, indicating that further gains will depend on future diplomatic and mobility agreements.
Why India’s Ranking Improved Despite Fewer Visa-Free Destinations
The Henley Passport Index operates as a relative ranking system rather than an absolute scorecard. A country’s position depends not only on its own visa-free score but also on changes affecting other passports worldwide.
Although India lost access to certain destinations and saw its visa-free count decline from 57 to 55 earlier in 2026, several other countries experienced similar or larger changes in visa policies. As rankings were recalculated globally, India moved higher on the leaderboard despite only a marginal improvement in total accessible destinations.
Countries with identical scores share the same rank, which explains why India is grouped with nations holding comparable mobility scores.
Two Countries Withdraw Visa-Free or Simplified Entry Access
India’s visa-free tally declined primarily due to policy changes by Iran and Bolivia.
Iran suspended visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders in November 2025 following incidents involving fraud and trafficking. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, individuals were reportedly lured to Iran through false job offers and later kidnapped for ransom. As a result, Indian travellers are now required to obtain visas before departure, and Iran no longer qualifies under the index’s visa-free category.
Also Read: Germany Allows Visa-Free Airport Transit for Indian Passport Holders: What Travellers Need to Know
Bolivia introduced an e-visa system requiring travellers to apply online and receive approval before travel. Previously, Indian citizens were eligible for visa-on-arrival, which counted under the index methodology. Because the new process requires prior authorisation, Bolivia is no longer included among destinations accessible without advance paperwork.
The Gambia Added to India’s Visa-Free Travel List
In February 2026, The Gambia was added to India’s accessible destinations list, increasing the total number of visa-free or simplified-entry countries from 55 to 56. Known as the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” the West African nation offers coastal tourism, wildlife experiences and cultural attractions.
The Gambia is bordered by Senegal and stretches along the Gambia River, with popular attractions including beaches such as Senegambia and Kotu, wildlife reserves like Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, and cultural sites including the Wassu Stone Circles and Fort James Island. The country is typically best visited between November and May during the dry season.
Understanding the Henley Passport Index Methodology
The Henley Passport Index, published by Henley & Partners, ranks 199 passports across 227 travel destinations using data sourced from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index is widely tracked by governments, immigration experts and policy analysts as a measure of global mobility.
Each passport receives one point for destinations allowing:
- Visa-free entry
- Visa on arrival
- Visitor permits issued at borders
- Basic electronic travel authorisations that do not require embassy approval
Destinations requiring travellers to obtain visas in advance through embassies or complete pre-departure e-visa approval processes receive zero points. The total points determine the visa-free score, after which passports are ranked from highest to lowest. Countries with identical scores share the same rank.
The index is often viewed as a proxy for diplomatic reach, bilateral agreements and global perceptions of migration risk.
Countries Indians Can Visit Visa-Free
Indian passport holders can travel without visa formalities to destinations including:
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu and Thailand.
Countries Offering Visa on Arrival to Indians
Indian travellers can obtain visas after arrival in destinations such as:
Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe.
Entry conditions, permitted duration of stay and eligibility requirements may vary depending on destination and travel purpose.
What India’s Latest Passport Ranking Indicates for Global Travel Mobility
India’s rise to the 75th position in the Henley Passport Index reflects a gradual recovery in international mobility following years of decline caused by changing global entry rules and pandemic-related disruptions. While the improvement signals stronger travel access and expanding diplomatic engagement, the reduction in visa-free destinations demonstrates how quickly visa policies can shift.
Sustained progress in passport strength will likely depend on new visa-waiver agreements, deeper trade ties and stronger mobility partnerships. For Indian travellers, the latest ranking represents steady progress, even as the journey toward broader global travel freedom continues.
FAQs on India Passport Ranking 2026 and Henley Passport Index
1. What is India’s rank in the Henley Passport Index 2026?
India ranks 75th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, improving from 85th in 2025, reflecting gradual recovery in global travel mobility and international visa access.
2. How many countries can Indian passport holders visit without a visa in 2026?
Indian passport holders can currently travel to 56 destinations visa-free, with visa-on-arrival, or simplified entry without requiring prior visa approval before departure.
3. Which countries removed visa-free access for Indian travellers in 2026?
Iran suspended visa-free entry after security concerns, while Bolivia shifted to an e-visa system requiring prior approval, removing both from India’s visa-free count in the index.
4. Why did India’s passport ranking improve despite fewer visa-free countries?
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports comparatively. India moved up because other countries lost access or saw policy changes, improving India’s relative position despite minor score changes.
5. What does the Henley Passport Index measure?
The Henley Passport Index measures passport strength based on how many destinations citizens can enter without prior visas, using International Air Transport Association travel data and mobility scoring.
