A viral video by an Indian travel influencer recently highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the Indian passport’s global mobility. While neighboring countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka are more accessible to Indian tourists, securing visas for many Western and European nations remains a significant hurdle.
This sentiment is echoed in the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free travel access. India has slipped to 85th place out of 199 countries, a decline from its previous position. This ranking is particularly striking when compared to nations like Rwanda, Ghana, and Azerbaijan, which, despite having smaller economies, are ranked higher.
Historically, India’s passport rank has fluctuated in the 80s and 90s, a stark contrast to Asian powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which consistently top the index. Singapore leads this year with visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189).
While Indian passport holders currently enjoy visa-free entry to 57 countries, sharing the 85th rank with Mauritania, the number of visa-free destinations has actually seen an increase over the past decade. For instance, in 2014, India ranked 76th with access to 52 countries. By 2024, this number rose to 62, yet the ranking remained stagnant or declined.
Experts attribute this paradox to the increasingly competitive global mobility landscape. Countries are actively forming travel partnerships to benefit their citizens, leading to a surge in visa-free access worldwide. Henley & Partners reports that the global average visa-free destinations have nearly doubled since 2006.
For example, China has seen its passport rank improve from 94th to 60th in the last decade, thanks to an increase in its visa-free destinations from 50 to 82. India, on the other hand, experienced a dip in its ranking from 77th to 85th between July and October of the current year, losing visa-free access to two countries.
According to Achal Malhotra, a former Indian ambassador, factors beyond visa-free access, such as economic stability, political climate, and a country’s reputation regarding immigration, also play a crucial role. India’s passport is perceived as vulnerable to security threats, with recent arrests for visa and passport fraud highlighting this concern. Cumbersome immigration procedures and slow visa processing also contribute to its lower standing.
However, technological advancements, like the introduction of e-passports with biometric data chips, are expected to enhance security and streamline immigration processes. Ultimately, increased diplomatic engagement and new travel agreements are vital for improving the global mobility of Indians and elevating India’s passport ranking.
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