SRINAGAR: India has dropped five places to 85th position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 57 destinations, compared to 62 countries last year when it stood at the 80th rank.
According to the latest rankings released by Henley and Partners, Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to 193 countries. South Korea follows in second place with 190 destinations, while Japan ranks third with access to 189 countries.
The fourth spot is jointly held by Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland, each providing visa-free travel to 188 nations. Meanwhile, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands share fifth place with 187 destinations.
At sixth rank are Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden (186 countries), followed by Australia, Czechia, Malta, and Poland at seventh (185 countries). The United Kingdom, along with Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UAE, occupies the eighth position with visa-free access to 184 countries. Canada ranks ninth (183 countries), while Latvia and Liechtenstein complete the top 10 with 182 destinations.
For the first time, the United States has fallen out of the top 10, ranking 12th alongside Malaysia, with access to 180 countries.
In India’s neighbourhood, Pakistan ranks 103rd with visa-free access to 31 countries, Bangladesh stands at 100th (38 countries), Nepal at 101st (36 countries), Bhutan at 92nd (50 countries), and Sri Lanka at 98th (41 countries).
At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport, offering visa-free entry to just 24 destinations, followed by Syria (26) and Iraq (29).
The Henley Passport Index, launched in 2005, updated in 2018, ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can access without a prior visa.
