India Slips 5 Spots in Henley Passport Index 2025, Now Ranks 85th Globally: Top 25 list

India has suffered a setback in the global mobility landscape, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025. The country has slipped five places to stand at the 85th position, from its previous ranking of 80th position. This fall marks the difficulties Indian passport holders face in accessing international destinations with ease.

Today, an Indian passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a paltry 57 countries; most regional rivals have left it far behind. This number puts into focus the need for further diplomatic action in order to better the lot of Indian citizens abroad.

World’s Top 10 Passports

According to Henley Passport Index 2025, Singapore has taken first place, with the power to visit visa-free places on earth amounting to 195 destinations. The top 10 countries in this list include: 1. Singapore 2. Japan 3. Finland 4. France 5. Germany 6. Italy 7. South Korea 8. Spain 9. Austria 10. Denmark

Henley Passport Index 2025: Top 25 Most Powerful Passports

Rank	Country	Visa-Free Destinations
1	Singapore	195
2	Japan	193
3	Finland	192
3	France	192
3	Germany	192
3	Italy	192
3	South Korea	192
3	Spain	192
9	Austria	191
9	Denmark	191
11	Netherlands	190
11	Sweden	190
13	Ireland	189
13	Portugal	189
15	Switzerland	188
15	United Kingdom	188
17	Belgium	187
17	New Zealand	187
17	Norway	187
20	Australia	186
20	Canada	186
22	United States	185
22	Czech Republic	185
22	Greece	185
25	Malta	184

Singapore’s success as the world’s most powerful passport is a testament to its strong diplomatic relations and strategic policies. Singaporean passport holders have access to 195 destinations, which makes the country the leader in global mobility.

Japan, previously a consistent top-ranking country, now ranks second, providing access to 193 destinations. Meanwhile, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain share the third position, each offering visa-free access to 192 destinations.

Henley Passport Index 2025: Bottom 20 Least Powerful Passports

At the other end of the spectrum, Pakistan and Yemen are tied at the 103rd position, offering visa-free access to just 33 countries. Following them are Iraq (31 countries), Syria (27 countries), and Afghanistan (26 countries), rounding off the bottom of the rankings.

Rank	Country	Visa-Free Destinations
104	Pakistan	33
104	Yemen	33
105	Somalia	32
106	Palestine	31
106	Iraq	31
108	Syria	27
109	Afghanistan	26

Winners and Losers in the Rankings

UAE ranked top over the other runners by shooting upward to a new impressive 32 places to earn itself 10th place in the rankings in 2025. Meanwhile, with passports, one from this nation enjoys 185 destinations due to increasing influence it enjoys across different borders worldwide.

On the other hand, the United States has plummeted drastically, from second to ninth position in the last decade. The United Kingdom, which was ranked at the top in 2015, now stands at fifth position, having fallen a long way from the top.

India’s Road Ahead

India’s decline in rankings is a wake-up call for policymakers to strengthen international agreements and improve global mobility for its citizens. Although challenges persist, strategic diplomatic initiatives could help reverse the trend and enhance the passport’s power in the years to come.

For travelers, it is important to stay abreast of visa regulations and plan ahead as global mobility continues to evolve in a post-pandemic world.