Henley Passport Index: India is ranked 85th in the Henley Passport Index

Henley Passport Index: India is ranked 85th in the Henley Passport Index

Passport strength might offer greater access and mobility to international markets and economies for regular visitors. There is some positive news for holders of Indian passports according to the most recent Henley Passport Index, which rates passports according to their strength and mobility. India is currently at 85th place, slips two spots lower than 83rd place from the previous year. An Indian passport bearer currently has visa-free entry to 59 countries, down from 60 last year, while Iraq and Afghanistan are the last two countries on the list.

The Henley Passport Index: What is it?

The Henley Passport Index is prepared by Henley and Partners, a global citizenship and residence advice organisation based in London. The index, which bills itself as the “original ranking of all passports in the world,” is revised four times a year to reflect changes in visa regulations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which oversees international airline cooperation, provides the information for it. The index examines the availability of 199 different passports for visa-free travel to 227 distinct travel destinations and covers 227 locations. A score of 1 is generated for that passport if a visa is not necessary. The same holds true if you are able to secure a visa, visitor’s permission, or electronic travel authority (ETA) upon arrival.

India’s Position in the Henley Passport Index

Speaking of India, the Indian passport ranks 85th on the list of the world’s most powerful passports as of 2023. 59 nations accept Indian passport holders without a visa. Prior to this change, the Indian passport was ranked 82nd, 84th, 85th, and 83rd for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Holders of Indian passports do not need visas to enter 59 countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Macao, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Iran, and Qatar. For some of these locations, nevertheless, Indian passport holders could require a visa upon arrival.

Top 10 Strongest Passports in the world List

According to the index, the strongest passport is defined by the number of countries people with a passport can visit visa-free or visa-on-arrival. The top 10 strongest passports in the world are:

1. Japan (193)
2. Singapore/South Korea (192)
3. Germany/Spain (190)
4. Finland/Italy/Luxembourg (189)
5. Austria/Denmark/Netherlands/Sweden (188)
6. France/Ireland/Portugal/United Kingdom (187)
7. Belgium/Czech Republic/New Zealand/Norway/Switzerland/United States (186)
8. Australia/Canada/Greece/Malta (185)
9. Hungary/Poland (184)
10. Lithuania/Slovakia (183)

Top 10 Worst passports for 2023

1. Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Sudan (42 destinations)
2. Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya (41 destinations)
3. North Korea (40 destinations)
4. Nepal, Palestinian Territory (38 destinations)
5. Somalia (35 destinations)
6. Yemen (34 destinations)
7. Pakistan (32 destinations)
8. Syria (30 destinations)
9. Iraq (29 destinations)
10. Afghanistan (27 destinations)

Why Does It Matter?

A strong passport can make it easier for individuals to travel internationally for business, tourism, and study. Additionally, it may open up more opportunities for individuals and companies to access overseas markets and economies.

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