Indian Passport Jumps Five Positions to 80th Place in 2026 Henley Passport Index with Access to 55 Visa-Free Destinations

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The Indian passport moved up five spots in the latest Henley Passport Index. It now holds the 80th position worldwide. Indian passport holders can visit 55 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival.

The ranking shows improvement from 2025 when India was at 85th place. Last year, Indians could access 57 destinations without advance visa requirements. In 2024, the passport held the same 80th position it now occupies.

India shares its current ranking with Niger and Algeria. The three countries have similar travel access for their citizens.

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Asian countries dominate the top of the index this year. Singapore takes first place with the world's most powerful passport. Japan and South Korea tie for second position.

Singapore passport holders can enter 192 out of 227 tracked destinations without a visa. Japan and South Korea citizens enjoy visa-free access to 188 countries.

European nations hold the third spot. Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, and Luxembourg share this position. Their citizens can travel to 186 destinations without advance visas.

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The Henley Passport Index examines 199 passports across 227 destinations. It uses data from the International Air Transport Association to measure travel freedom. The index counts how many countries each passport holder can enter without a visa.

The United Arab Emirates showed remarkable progress this year. It jumped five positions to reach fifth place. The UAE has made the strongest gains in the index's 20-year history. Since 2006, it has added visa-free access to 149 destinations and climbed 57 places overall.

The United States returned to the top 10 rankings. It now sits at 10th place after falling to 12th position last year. This marks its recovery after dropping out of the top 10 for the first time.

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Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list in 101st place. Afghan passport holders can access only 24 destinations without a visa. Pakistan ranks 98th, slightly above Afghanistan.

The index reflects global diplomatic relationships and travel agreements between nations. Rankings change based on new visa policies and international agreements.