India moves up global passport rankings but loses visa-free access to two nations

India has moved up 10 places on the Henley Passport Index in 2026, but Indian passport holders can now enter fewer countries without prior visa approval than last year. India ranks 75th in 2026, up from 85th in 2025. However, the number of destinations Indians can access without securing a visa in advance stands at 56, down from 57 in 2025.

The latest Henley Passport Index shows that India’s global mobility position has improved in comparison to other countries. But changes in visa policies by Iran and Bolivia reduced the total number of countries offering visa-free access to Indian travellers.

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In January 2026, India stood at 80th position with access to 55 destinations. By February 2026, the rank improved to 75th and the number of accessible destinations increased to 56. Despite this rise from January, the total remains lower than the 57 destinations recorded in 2025.

The Henley Passport Index, published by Henley & Partners, ranks 199 passports across 227 destinations. It uses data from the International Air Transport Association. The index counts destinations that allow visa-free entry, visa on arrival or certain electronic travel authorisations. If travellers must apply for a visa in advance and receive approval before departure, the destination does not qualify under the index’s visa-free category.

In 2025, Indian passport holders had access to 57 destinations under this system. The number dropped after Iran and Bolivia changed their visa rules.

Iran suspended visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders in November 2025. The decision followed reported fraud and trafficking cases involving Indian nationals. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, “Individuals were tricked into journeying to Iran by taking advantage of the visa waiver facility available for ordinary Indian passport holders. On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom.” The ministry added that Tehran suspended the visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran. From late November 2025, Indian travellers had to obtain a visa before departure, and Iran no longer counted in the index.

Bolivia also changed its policy. In 2025, Indian citizens could obtain a visa on arrival. In 2026, Bolivia moved Indian travellers to an e-visa system that requires online application, document upload and prior approval. Since the index excludes destinations that require advance authorisation, Bolivia no longer qualifies under India’s visa-free list.

The January 2026 edition of the index reflected a drop to 55 accessible destinations after the removal of Iran and Bolivia. In February 2026, The Gambia was added to the list, raising the total to 56. This addition partly offset the earlier losses but did not restore the 2025 figure.

India’s improved ranking despite a lower visa-free score reflects how the index works. The ranking compares all passports relative to one another. Each passport receives one point for every destination that allows visa-free entry, visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit at the border or a basic electronic travel authorisation without embassy approval. Destinations that require advance visa approval score zero. Countries are then ranked from highest to lowest based on total points. If multiple countries have the same score, they share the same rank.

India shares its current score band with other countries that have similar levels of access. Even though India’s total number of accessible destinations fell slightly from last year, shifts in visa policies affecting other countries changed the overall ranking positions.