India's Passport Climbs to 75th in February 2026 Henley Index, Boosting Global Mobility

India's Passport Sees Significant Rise in Global Ranking

India's passport has achieved a notable improvement in global standing, climbing 10 places to reach the 75th position in the February 2026 Henley Passport Index. This advancement allows Indian citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 countries worldwide. The latest ranking marks a significant jump from its 85th position in 2025 and 80th at the start of 2026.

Understanding the Ranking Dynamics

The improvement in India's ranking is primarily attributed to a relative shift in global mobility rather than an increase in the absolute number of visa-free destinations. While India's passport now offers access to 56 countries, this is a slight decrease from the 57 countries accessible in 2025. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports relative to each other, meaning that India moved up the leaderboard because other countries experienced larger declines in their visa-free access.

Historically, India's passport reached its peak of 71st position in 2006. The current rise to 75th reflects a steady recovery and incremental gains in travel freedom. India currently shares its 75th rank with countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania.

The Henley Passport Index Methodology

The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, is a comprehensive global ranking that assesses the strength of passports based on the travel freedom they afford their citizens. It evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations. The index relies on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s Timatic database, which is the largest and most accurate travel information database globally.

The methodology awards a score of '1' for each destination where passport holders can enter without a prior visa, obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor's permit, or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Destinations requiring a pre-approved visa or a full e-visa are assigned a score of zero. The index is updated quarterly to reflect dynamic changes in global visa policies and diplomatic relations.

Recent Visa Policy Changes and Global Context

The number of visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders saw fluctuations in recent months. In January 2026, the total dropped to 55 countries due to policy changes by Iran and Bolivia. Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indians in November 2025, citing concerns over fraud and trafficking, now requiring prior approval. Bolivia also shifted to an e-visa system that necessitates online pre-approval. However, the addition of The Gambia back to the list in February 2026 brought the total to 56.

Globally, Singapore continues to hold the top position in the February 2026 index, offering visa-free access to an impressive 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea share the second spot with access to 187 countries, followed by Sweden and the UAE in third place with 186 destinations. The United States is ranked 10th, with visa-free access to 179 destinations.