Henley Passport Index 2026: India Slips to 81st Rank
Why in the news
The 20th edition of the Henley Passport Index, published on 21 July 2026, pushed India down the ranks of passport power.
Key facts
- Publisher: Henley & Partners, a British investment-migration consultancy.
- India: 81st with 55 destinations, level with Mauritania and Algeria, after being 75th in the February 2026 edition.
- The UAE’s climb was the standout story, credited to steady diplomacy and visa liberalisation.
Top and bottom
| Rank | Passport | Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan, South Korea, UAE | 188 |
| 3 | Sweden | 187 |
| 100 | Yemen | 30 |
| 101 | Pakistan | 29 |
| 102 | Iraq | 28 |
| 103 | Syria | 25 |
| Lowest | Afghanistan | 22 |
Methodology
- Built on IATA (International Air Transport Association) data for 199 passports and 227 destinations.
- Counts visa-free, visa-on-arrival and eTA access; e-visas needing prior approval are excluded.
- Updated through the year, so ranks shift between editions.
India’s rank over twenty years
| Year | India’s rank |
|---|---|
| 2006 (launch) | 71st |
| 2012 | 82nd |
| 2013 | 74th |
| 2021 (weakest) | 90th |
| 2024 | 80th |
| 2025 | 85th |
| 2026 | 81st |
India’s rank is still lower than at launch, although global mobility has increased.
Exam angle
- Compiler: Henley & Partners, using IATA data.
- Top: Singapore (192); lowest: Afghanistan (22).