The Henley Passport Index

1. In 2026, India ranks 80th on the Henley Passport Index with Indian passport holders able to travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival to 55 destinations.  

1. Globally, Singapore holds the top spot this year on the Henley Passport Index, with its citizens able to enter 192 destinations without a prior visa.  

1. Japan and South Korea rank on second place, each offering entry to 188 countries visa-free.  

1. Third place is held jointly by Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland each granting access to 186 destinations.  

1. At the bottom of the ranking, Afghanistan remains last, with its passport allowing travel to only 24 destinations without a prior visa. 

Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World (2026) 

Given below are the top 10 most powerful passports in 2026 by visa-free access. 

Inception of The Henley Passport Index

Henley & Partners pioneered the concept of citizenship and residency planning in the 1990s, recognizing the growing importance of these options for business owners and investors in an increasingly globalized world. 

Although the firm has a history spanning over 45 years, it was officially founded in 1997 as a fiduciary firm and private client immigration advisory service, specializing in residency and citizenship solutions. 

Features of The Henley Passport Index

Mentioned below are some of the features of Henley Passport Index: 

1. It offers services only if it genuinely assists the client.
2. It always makes sure to find the best solutions for their clients by following an efficient method.
3. The clients are presented with personal and professional services.
4. The business is based on integrity, honesty, and ethical standards.

Importance of the Henley Passport Index

The Henley Passport Index is important because of the following reasons: 

1. It shows how strong the country’s passport is for visiting other countries without having a visa. 

1. If a country has a high rank on the Henley Index, then it means that it has good relationships with other countries which make travel easier for its citizens. 

1. Strong passports are often linked to a better economy in the country, as travel helps businesses and trade. 

Global Rankings and Visa-Free Country Lists

1. On a specific date each year, Henley & Partners gets data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). 
2. This data is the basis of the Henley Passport Index. 
3. In order to generate complete visa lists for all 199 passports and ensure the authenticity of this information, the research team at Henley & Partners examines reliable web sources and double-checks each passport against the 227 probable travel destinations. 
4. The process goes on throughout the year. 

1. This is followed by a monitoring system to detect any changes in visa policies.

Conditions and Criteria for Henley Rankings

The key points about the scoring system and assumptions used in the Henley Passport Index: 

1. A score of 1 is given if passport holders don't need a visa or can obtain one on arrival. 
2. This includes electronic travel authorities (ETAs) and visitor's permits. 

1. A score of 0 is assigned if a visa is required or if a government-approved electronic visa (e-Visa) is needed in advance. 
2. If pre-departure government approval is needed for a visa on arrival, it is not considered ‘visa-free’ and receives a score of 0. 
3. The total score for each passport reflects the number of destinations where no visa is required, based on the above conditions. 

Please note that the index assumes the following:

1. The passport is valid and of the normal type (not diplomatic, emergency, or temporary). 

1. The passport holder is an adult citizen of the issuing country, traveling alone (not in a tourist group). 
2. The passport holder meets the basic entry requirements (e.g., hotel reservation, proof of funds). 
3. Complex entry requirements (e.g., government-issued letter) are not considered. 
4. The passport holder has the necessary inoculations or vaccinations. 
5. The passport holder arrives at and departs from the same airport. 

1. The purpose of entry is for a short stay, typically for tourism or business. 
2. The duration of the short stay is between three days and several months. 
3. Entry to the destination country is intended for tourist or business purposes. 
   

1. The conditions set by the destination nation or area about a specific passport's duration of validity are not taken into consideration. 

1. Providing passenger details in advance, getting permission to board and paying airport tax, etc., are not part of visa requirements or travel restrictions. 

Henley & Partners Offices and Global Presence

India on the Henley Passport Index 

Here is the Henley Passport Index of India for last 21 years:

Note: The table provides the historical ranking of the Henley Passport Index for India from 2006 to 2026. Each row displays the year and the corresponding ranking of India. The rankings range from 71st in 2006 to 80th in 2026.

Key Elements Affecting India's Passport Strength 

There are many reasons that affect the strength of the Indian Passport. Some of the key reasons are given below: 

1. Strong diplomatic relations with other countries, which help in securing visa-free access to those countries. 

1. Global views on India’s security affect how easily its citizens can travel. 

1. A stable economy can help India to negotiate better travel options. 

1. International partnerships in areas like trade and tourism can lead to easier travel.