NEW DELHI, India, February 14 (ANI): India’s passport has climbed to the 75th position in the Henley Passport Index for February 2026, up from 85th last year and 80th at the start of 2026, Gulf News reported.
The improvement marks a 10-spot rise, reflecting enhanced global mobility for Indian citizens, who can now travel to 56 countries either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access.
According to Gulf News, Indian passport holders gained one additional destination in February compared with January’s total of 55, with The Gambia restored to the list.
The January dip to 55 destinations followed policy changes by Iran and Bolivia, which removed them from India’s visa-free or visa-on-arrival categories. Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indian citizens in November 2025 amid concerns over fraud and trafficking, requiring prior approval instead. Bolivia shifted to an e-visa system requiring online pre-approval.
Despite a slight decline from 2025’s total of 57 accessible destinations, India’s ranking improved because the Henley Passport Index measures passports relative to one another, and several other countries experienced sharper declines in their access scores.
The index evaluates nearly 200 passports against 227 destinations, awarding points only for visa-free travel, visa-on-arrival, visitor permits, or basic electronic travel authorizations. Pre-approved visas or full e-visas receive no points.
Singapore leads the 2026 rankings with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea at 187. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates each offer access to 186 destinations, while several European nations rank in the 184–185 range. The United States ranks 10th with access to 179 destinations.
Gulf News noted that India’s current position represents steady progress, building on its historical peak of 71st in 2006 and reflecting incremental gains in travel freedom amid shifting global visa policies.
The development underscores India’s expanding diplomatic and economic footprint, creating broader opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange for its citizens. (ANI)
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