Big jump for Indian passport in global rankings, now THESE countries allow visa free entry

New Delhi: The Indian passport's global ranking has improved. According to a recent report by Henley & Partners, India's global mobility ranking has improved on paper. The Indian passport now ranks 75th on the global list, down from 85th in 2025 and 80th earlier this year. While India's position has improved, two countries have also closed visa-free entry for Indians.

According to an earlier Henley report, Indians could travel to 57 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival in 2025. Now, with the addition of Gambia, this number has risen to 56. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports from 200 countries worldwide. This ranking is based on how many countries a country's citizens can access visa-free or visa-on-arrival based on their passport.

In which two countries did Indians lose this privilege?

Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to many countries. Iran was one of these countries, but in November 2025, Iran suspended visa-free access for ordinary Indian passport holders. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Iran took this decision due to the involvement of several Indians there in kidnapping and ransom cases.

In addition to Iran, Bolivia also discontinued visa-on-arrival for Indians. This country implemented the e-visa system, making it mandatory for any citizen visiting the country to apply online. However, in February 2026, Gambia was added to the list of countries offering visa-on-arrival access to Indians. This currently allows India to access this privilege in 56 countries.

How did India's ranking improve?

The number of countries allowed to enter India through passports has declined. However, India's ranking has improved. The main reason behind this is the relative system of the Henley Index. This means that it compares with other countries. In such a situation, if other countries have lost more access to other countries than India, then India's ranking improves. If two countries have similar numbers, then they share the same ranking. Countries like Algeria and Niger are ranked 75th with India.

What are the criteria for determining passport rankings?

The Henley Index ranks passports from 199 countries around the world based on their ability to travel to other countries. Several criteria are used for scoring, such as the number of countries a passport holder has visa-free entry to. The number of countries where a person can avail of a visa on arrival. Furthermore, the number of visitor permits issued at the border and Basic Electronic Travel Authorizations are also added. If a passport holder needs to obtain e-visa approval in advance at an embassy or online upon entering a country, they receive a score of 0.