The list of the world's most powerful passports (Henley Passport Index 2026) has been released, and the Indian passport has made a significant leap forward. With this, Bhartiya ...read more

The latest Henley Passport Index 2026 report has been released, and there's good news for Indian travelers. This year, the Indian passport's strength in terms of global mobility has improved.

The Indian passport's ranking has risen five places this year. India now ranks 80th on the list of the world's most powerful passports. This improved ranking means international travel has become slightly easier for Indian citizens.

Currently, Indian passport holders can travel to 55 countries worldwide (Visa-Free Countries for Indians) without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival facility. Let's find out which countries Indians can travel to visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival visa, and which the most powerful passports in the world are this year.

(Picture Courtesy: henleyglobal.com)  

The most powerful passports in the world

Asian countries continue to dominate the 2026 list. According to the index, the top three passports in the world are all from Asia:

• 1st place – Singapore (visa-free access to 192 countries)
• 2nd place – Japan and South Korea (visa-free access to 188 countries)
• 3rd place – Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain and Luxembourg (access to 186 destinations)

Where can Indians travel visa-free?

Visa-free entry facility

Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macau (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.

Visa on Arrival and ETA facility

To visit some countries, you can get a visa at the airport upon arrival (Visa on Arrival) or you need to obtain an Instant Online Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel.

These countries include  Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya (ETA), Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles (ETA), Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Saint Kitts and Nevis (ETA), Saint Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe.

Keep this in mind

This list of countries is based on the Henley Passport Index, but before traveling to any country, please check whether visa-free or visa-on-arrival access is available. You can check the relevant country's embassy or official website for the rules, as visa policies vary from time to time depending on the country's diplomatic status.  

PC: Jagran