Indian Passport Ranking 2026: Now 75th Globally with Access to 56 Destinations

India has improved its global mobility standing in 2026, with the Indian passport rising to the 75th position in the latest Henley & Partners Passport Index. The ranking marks a five-place jump from 80th at the start of 2026, reflecting gradual improvement in international travel access for Indian citizens.

Indian passport holders can now travel to 56 countries without applying for a visa in advance. This includes destinations offering visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or digital travel permits.

However, India’s current ranking remains below its 2006 peak of 71st, which was its best-ever position in the index.

The Henley Passport Index 2026 has brought positive news for Indian travelers. While India continues to trail behind several developed nations in visa-free access, the improvement signals gradual progress in global mobility and diplomatic engagement.

India’s Passport Ranking in 2026: What It Means

The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks 199 passports across 227 travel destinations. It is updated monthly and serves as a global benchmark for passport strength.

Key Highlights:

• India ranked 75th in 2026

• Improved from 80th earlier in the year

• Best historical rank: 71st in 2006

• Visa-free or simplified access to 56 countries

Despite the improvement, Indian passport holders still have access to fewer destinations compared to citizens of many developed nations.

Countries Offering Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Indian citizens can travel to the following countries using Electronic Travel Authorisation:

• Kenya

• Seychelles

• St. Kitts and Nevis

Visa on Arrival Countries for Indian Passport Holders

Indians can obtain a Visa on Arrival in the following destinations:

Africa and Island Nations

• Burundi

• Cape Verde Islands

• Comoro Islands

• Djibouti

• Ethiopia

• Guinea-Bissau

• Madagascar

• Mozambique

• Sierra Leone

• Tanzania

• Zimbabwe

Asia-Pacific and Others

• Cambodia

• Indonesia

• Jordan

• Laos

• Maldives

• Marshall Islands

• Mongolia

• Myanmar

• Niue

• Palau Islands

• Qatar

• Samoa

• Sri Lanka

• St. Lucia

• Timor-Leste

• Tuvalu

Countries Offering E-Visas to Indians

Indian passport holders can apply online for e-visas for the following destinations:

Albania, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Russian Federation, São Tomé and Príncipe, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, The Bahamas, Togo, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.

Top 10 Countries with the Strongest Passports in 2026

According to the Henley Passport Index:

Singapore continues to lead the rankings with access to 192 destinations, highlighting the significant mobility gap between top-ranked passports and India.

How India Compares Globally

While India’s climb to 75th position is encouraging, it still lags behind many Asian and European nations. The difference in visa-free access remains substantial compared to countries in the top 10.

However, incremental improvements suggest ongoing diplomatic negotiations and international agreements that could further enhance travel freedom for Indian citizens in the coming years.

Key Takeaways

• India ranked 75th in 2026 Henley Passport Index

• Improved from 80th earlier in the year

• Visa-free or simplified access to 56 countries

• Best historical rank remains 71st in 2006

• Singapore tops the global list with 192 visa-free destinations