India’s Passport Climbs to 75th in Global Rankings Amidst Declining Visa-Free Access, ETTravelWorld

India has recorded a notable improvement in its global passport standing in 2026, climbing 10 positions in the latest Henley Passport Index. The Indian passport now ranks 75th worldwide — up from 85th last year — yet the gain comes with a subtle contradiction: Indian travellers now have access to slightly fewer visa-free destinations than before.

According to the 2026 edition of the index, Indian passport holders currently enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival or electronic travel authorisation access to 56 destinations. This marks a marginal decline from 57 destinations in 2025.

The change stems primarily from policy revisions by Iran and Bolivia, both of which altered entry rules for Indian citizens over the past year.

Iran withdrew visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders in November 2025 after reported instances of fraud and trafficking. India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted that certain individuals were allegedly lured to Iran under the visa waiver facility and later subjected to kidnapping and ransom demands. As a result, Indian travellers are now required to secure a visa prior to departure, removing Iran from the visa-free category.

Bolivia also adjusted its entry norms in 2026. While Indians were previously eligible for visa-on-arrival, the country shifted to a prior-approval e-visa system. Because advance authorisation is now mandatory, Bolivia no longer qualifies as visa-free under the index’s methodology.

Despite the loss of these destinations, India’s overall ranking improved. The Henley Passport Index measures 199 passports against 227 travel destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Each passport earns one point for every destination where holders can enter without a pre-arranged visa. The rankings are comparative, meaning movement depends not only on a country’s own access but also on changes affecting other passports.

In early 2026, India ranked 80th with access to 55 destinations. The addition of The Gambia to India’s visa-free list earlier this year helped lift the total to 56 destinations and contributed to the upward shift in ranking.

However, the improvement reflects broader reshuffling in global mobility patterns rather than a dramatic expansion of Indian travel freedom. Several countries experienced changes in their own visa agreements, altering relative standings across the index.

For Indian travellers, the update presents a mixed picture. While the passport’s global position has strengthened, real-world travel access remains largely stable, with only incremental changes. As visa policies continue to evolve amid security and diplomatic considerations, mobility gains are increasingly shaped by shifting geopolitical and regulatory landscapes.

In essence, India’s passport has become comparatively stronger in global rankings — even if the practical number of destinations accessible without advance visa clearance has edged down slightly.