India Ranks 85th: This Country Holds the World’s Strongest Passport — It’s Not the US

India Ranks 85th: India’s passport has dropped to the 85th position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, permitting visa-free travel to 57 countries, down from a previous total of 59 in the year before. Meanwhile, the United States, once the strongest passport in the world, has dropped out of the top 10 passports, ranking 12th for the first time in twenty years.

The Henley Passport Index is a worldwide classification of countries according to the freedom of mobility granted to their citizens by their ordinary passports. It was originally launched in 2005 as the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index and then updated in January 2018 to the Henley Passport Index.

Also Read: Delhi Police to Become “World-Class” Force: Ministry Approves 26 New Infrastructure Projects

Which passport is the strongest?

With access of 193 destinations, Singapore has the strongest passport. South Korea and Japan stand closely behind. This demonstrates the gradual growing dominance of Asia in travel around the world. and here is a link to the complete list of the Henley Passport Index.

European countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland also continue to be included in the top 10, based on their diplomatic stability and openness to travel.

Where does India rank?

India has fallen to the 85th position in 2025 according to Henley & Partners, down five from last year.

Travelers with an Indian passport can travel to 57 countries visa free, down from 59 the year prior.

Currently, Indians enjoy visa-free entry to 12 destinations including Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Additionally, Indian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in 27 countries. Popular choices include Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan, and Qatar, along with Bolivia, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Samoa, Tanzania, and Timor-Leste, among others.

Over the years, India's ranking has swung significantly from a peak of No. 71 in 2006 to a low of No. 90 in 2021, and in 2024 it was ranked 80th.

India's passport mobility is still only average overall.

Also Read: Mahua Moitra Slams Firecracker Verdict: ‘Don’t Waste Time Moaning About Air Quality’

How are India's neighbors doing?

Pakistan comes in at No. 103 with access to 31 visa-free destinations.

Bangladesh is ranked 100 overall, allowing access to 38 visa-free countries and Nepal is ranked 101 and has access to 36 visa-free countries.

Bhutan is ranked 92, with visa-free travel to 50 countries, a slightly stronger passport than their South Asian neighbors.

Why has US passport declined to an all-time low?

The United States, on the other hand, has seen consistent weakening of its passport strength. It rated No. 1 in the world in 2014 and has never fellvto it's lowest ever.

The cause could be the disparity of where Americans can travel visa-free versus which countries allow the US travel visa-free.

Americans are allowed to travel visa-free to 180 destinations, and the US only allows 46 for US citizens, for a current ranking of 77 in the world for openness.

This inequity resulted in several reciprocal policy changes. For example, Brazil re-introduced visa requirements for Americans in 2024 when Washington did not reciprocate for Brazilians.

Vietnam and China have expanded visa-free travel to many more countries but declined to include the US with their updates. Even smaller countries have modified their entry systems to make it harder for US travelers to enter -- including Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Somalia.

Also Read: Toll Rises to 21 After Boy’s Death; Four Remain on Ventilator in Jaisalmer Bus Tragedy