Henley Passport Index : India Ranks 85th on the Henley Passport Index

For frequent travelers, the strength of a passport can mean more access and mobility to foreign markets and economies. The latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on their power and mobility, has some good news for Indian passport holders. India now stands at 85th position, two places ahead of last year’s 87th spot. According to the index, an Indian passport holder now has visa-free access to 59 countries, compared to 60 last year while Iraq and Afghanistan is on the last spot.

Top 10 Strongest Passports

According to the index, the strongest passport is defined by the number of countries people with a passport can visit visa-free or visa-on-arrival. The top 10 strongest passports in the world are:

1. Japan (193)
2. Singapore/South Korea (192)
3. Germany/Spain (190)
4. Finland/Italy/Luxembourg (189)
5. Austria/Denmark/Netherlands/Sweden (188)
6. France/Ireland/Portugal/United Kingdom (187)
7. Belgium/Czech Republic/New Zealand/Norway/Switzerland/United States (186)
8. Australia/Canada/Greece/Malta (185)
9. Hungary/Poland (184)
10. Lithuania/Slovakia (183)

Why Does it Matter?

A strong passport can make it easier for individuals to travel internationally for business, tourism, and study. It can also provide greater access to foreign markets and economies, which can be beneficial for individuals and businesses.

India’s Position in the Index

India ranks 85th on the index, up two places from last year’s 87th position. Despite having the world’s fifth-largest economy, Indian passport holders can access only 59 destinations worldwide and only 6.7% of global GDP, of which India’s own GDP accounts for about half. Indian passport holders have lost visa-free access to Serbia. Starting January 1, 2023, Indian passport holders are required to apply for a visa to enter the country, unlike in the past when visa-free travel to the country for 90 days was allowed. Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 59 destinations such as Bhutan, Indonesia, Macao, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Iran, and Qatar. Some countries require visa-on-arrival.

What is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index is prepared by London-based Henley and Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm. The index claims to be the “original ranking of all the world’s passports”, and is updated quarterly according to countries’ visa policy changes. It gathers data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which manages inter-airline cooperation globally. The index covers 227 destinations and 199 passports, and compares the visa-free access of 199 different passports to 227 travel destinations. If no visa is required, then a score with value = 1 is created for that passport. The same applies if you can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) when entering the destination.

Category: Reports & Indexes Current Affairs