Experts say India’s weak passport ranking reflects global competition, diplomatic inertia, and perceptions about migration.
Earlier this year, a video by an Indian travel influencer went viral on social media after he complained about the “weakness” of India’s passport, saying that while countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka were relatively welcoming, securing visas for Western and European destinations remained frustratingly difficult.
His grievance mirrors what the latest Henley Passport Index confirms: India ranks 85th out of 199 countries, slipping five places from last year. The index, published by Henley & Partners, measures passport strength based on the number of destinations citizens can visit without a prior visa.
The Indian government has not yet commented on the 2025 ranking.
A Growing Economy, but Weak Mobility
Despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy, India’s passport continues to trail behind nations with far smaller GDPs.
According to the index, Azerbaijan (72nd), Ghana (74th), and Rwanda (78th) all rank higher than India. Meanwhile, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan dominate the top three positions with visa-free access to 193, 190, and 189 destinations, respectively.
By contrast, Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to 57 countries — the same as citizens of Mauritania, which shares the 85th spot with India.
Why India’s Rank Keeps Slipping
Interestingly, India’s number of visa-free destinations has increased over the past decade — from 52 in 2015 to 57 in 2025 — yet its ranking remains unchanged.
In 2014, the year Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government came to power, India ranked 76th on the index. Since then, it has fluctuated in the 80s range, briefly improving to 80th in 2023 and 2024, before dropping back to 85th this year.
Experts say the decline is less about India losing ground and more about other countries advancing faster.
“The global landscape has become highly competitive. Countries are signing new travel partnerships to benefit their citizens and economies,” says the Henley & Partners 2025 report.
In 2006, the global average number of visa-free destinations per traveler was 58. By 2025, it has nearly doubled to 109.
For instance, China increased its visa-free destinations from 50 to 82 in a decade — boosting its passport rank from 94th to 60th.
India, on the other hand, lost visa-free access to two countries between July and October 2025, dropping from 77th to 85th place in the latest quarterly update.
Soft Power and Perception Matter
Former Indian ambassador Achal Malhotra says passport strength isn’t just about diplomacy — it also reflects a nation’s soft power, stability, and trustworthiness in the eyes of the world.
“In the 1970s, Indians could travel visa-free to many Western countries,” Malhotra recalls.
“That changed after the political turbulence of the 1980s, including the Khalistan movement. Internal instability and high migration rates have made many nations more cautious.”
Malhotra notes that countries increasingly link visa policies to concerns about illegal migration and overstaying, areas where India faces challenges.
Security and Bureaucracy Still Hold India Back
Beyond diplomacy, security concerns and slow immigration processes have further undermined India’s passport reputation.
In 2024, Delhi Police arrested 203 people for alleged visa and passport fraud, underscoring the scale of document-related crimes.
India’s immigration procedures also remain cumbersome, often requiring long processing times and in-person interviews.
However, recent technological reforms, such as the rollout of India’s electronic passport (e-passport), could gradually change that. The new e-passport embeds a biometric chip to enhance security and prevent forgery.
“Technological improvements like e-passports can strengthen credibility,” Malhotra says. “But diplomatic outreach and new travel agreements are essential to boost global mobility for Indian citizens.”
A Symbol of Global Standing
A passport is more than a travel document — it reflects a country’s global standing, political goodwill, and citizens’ freedom to move.
While India’s rank remains stuck in the mid-80s, its expanding economy and growing international presence could pave the way for improved mobility in the future — if matched by stronger diplomacy and internal reforms.
Until then, millions of Indian travelers will continue to face more paperwork, higher visa fees, and longer wait times — reminders that economic might alone does not guarantee global access.