Indian Passport Drops to 80th in Henley Passport Index 2026, But Indians Still Enjoy Access to 56 Visa-Friendly Destinations

The Indian passport has slipped to 80th position in the latest Henley Passport Index (July 2026), falling two places from its 78th rank in May. Earlier this year, India had reached 75th place in the February edition after improving from 85th in 2025, making the latest decline a temporary setback rather than a major loss in global travel access.

Despite the lower ranking, there is good news for Indian travellers. The number of destinations accessible without obtaining a traditional visa before departure remains unchanged at 56. The Henley Passport Index, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), evaluates 199 passports across 227 destinations and measures the ease of international travel through visa-free, visa-on-arrival and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) access.

Why Did India's Passport Ranking Fall?

A lower rank does not necessarily mean the Indian passport has become weaker. Passport rankings are relative and change whenever other countries negotiate additional visa-waiver agreements. While India's travel access has stayed the same, several other nations expanded their mobility, pushing India down the list. This explains why the passport now ranks 80th even though Indian citizens continue to enjoy access to the same 56 destinations.

Countries Indians Can Visit Without a Traditional Visa

Indian passport holders can currently travel to 56 destinations through three different entry categories.

Visa-Free Countries

Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.

Visa-on-Arrival Destinations

Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niue, Palau, Qatar, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Kenya, Seychelles and St. Kitts & Nevis continue to offer simplified electronic travel authorisation for Indian travellers.

Passport Fees and Citizenship Clarification Also in Focus

The latest ranking comes shortly after the Government of India introduced revised passport fees from 1 July 2026, marking the first major fee revision in over a decade. Around the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs also clarified that an Indian passport serves primarily as a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship. However, there is no official evidence linking these developments to India's latest Henley Passport Index position.

Henley Passport Index vs Global Passport Index

Many travellers have noticed another ranking placing India much lower. The difference comes from the methodology.

The Henley Passport Index focuses solely on international travel freedom and currently places India at 80th with access to 56 destinations.

The Global Passport Index 2026, published by Global Citizen Solutions, evaluates additional factors such as investment opportunities, taxation, quality of life and global perception. Under this broader assessment, India ranks 125th overall and 135th for mobility, making direct comparisons between the two rankings misleading.

What This Means for Indian Travellers

Although India's position on the Henley Passport Index has slipped, everyday travel opportunities for Indian passport holders remain largely unchanged. Popular destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius continue to welcome Indian visitors with simplified entry procedures.

For travellers planning an international holiday, the ranking should be viewed as an indicator of global mobility rather than a reflection of immediate travel options. Before booking any trip, it is still advisable to verify the latest immigration rules, entry conditions and document requirements, as visa policies can change at short notice. For travellers seeking assistance with visas and international holiday planning, MusafirBaba recommends checking the latest destination-specific requirements before departure to avoid last-minute surprises.