According to the most recent Henley Passport Index 2025, India’s passport rating has dropped five spots in the world. After falling from 80th place last year, the country is presently in 85th place. Along with Equatorial Guinea and Niger, 57 countries now allow Indian passport holders to travel visa-free. The Henley Passport Index makes use of proprietary information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to rank passports according to the amount of visa-free countries they allow its holders to access. As a result of changes in diplomatic ties, travel agreements, and foreign policy, India’s standing has fallen, highlighting the fierce global rivalry among passports.
Singapore Maintains Its Position at the Top, While the United States Falls
With its passport allowing visa-free travel to 195 places worldwide, Singapore has topped the Henley Passport Index for two years in a row. This highlights the ease of travel for Singaporeans and the country’s strong diplomatic relations to other parts of the world. Japan ranks second with 193 visa-free countries, followed by Denmark (191), South Korea, Spain, Austria, and Finland (192), all of which have 192 or 191 visa-free countries. Meanwhile, America’s position has plummeted, going from second to ninth in the standings. Part of the reason for this is the increase of policies that focus inward, such as the trend toward isolationism that has emerged in response to political shifts, especially during Trump’s administration. Although commendable, the fact that 186 nations now offer visa-free travel to US passport holders represents a significant decrease in American residents’ worldwide mobility.
The Ascent of the UAE, While Yemen and Pakistan Slumber
According to the Henley Passport Index, the United Arab Emirates has achieved one of the greatest gains in the last ten years. The UAE passport has jumped 32 spots to take 10th rank, granting entry to 185 locations. Reasons for this dramatic increase include the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) increasing economic and political clout in the area, as well as its strategic diplomatic initiatives and its expansion of global travel agreements. Yemen and Pakistan, on the other hand, rank 103rd and 102nd, respectively, at the very bottom of the index. The number of visa-free locations limited to passport holders from these countries is 33. Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan are among the other nations with restricted access to the global network. The persistent effects of worldwide conflicts, political unrest, and diplomatic isolation on the freedom of travel for passport holders from politically insecure countries are shown by these rankings.
An important barometer of global politics, the Henley Passport Index shows how economic growth, diplomatic ties, and the strength of nation states affect the relative ease with which people of different countries can travel throughout the world.
