Indian Passport Surges to 77th in 2025 Henley Index Ranking

When comparing the Indian passport with other regional passports in 2025, travelers and families often want to know which document offers the best travel freedom, how requirements and costs differ, and what practical benefits or drawbacks each option brings. The 2025 Henley Passport Index provides a clear picture of how the Indian passport now stands against its neighbors and other key countries, especially in terms of visa-free entry and visa-on-arrival (VOA) access. Here’s a detailed, side-by-side look at these options, with practical advice for choosing the right passport for your needs.

Introduction to the Options: Indian Passport vs. Regional Passports

The Indian passport has seen its biggest improvement ever in 2025, jumping eight places to rank 77th in the Henley Index. This means Indian citizens can now visit 59 countries without needing to get a visa before travel, either through visa-free entry or VOA. This is a major step up from 2024 and puts India ahead of all its immediate South Asian neighbors. For comparison, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan all rank lower, with fewer countries offering easy entry. Meanwhile, China, the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, and Singapore 🇸🇬 have even stronger passports, with Singapore holding the top spot worldwide.

Side-by-Side Analysis: Requirements, Timelines, and Costs

Let’s break down what each passport offers in terms of travel freedom, what you need to prepare, and what it might cost you.

1. Indian Passport (Rank 77, 59 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free Entry: Indian citizens can enter countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, and Serbia without applying for a visa before travel. Stays range from 14 to 180 days, depending on the country.
• Visa-on-Arrival (VOA): Countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Macau, Jordan, Laos, and Tanzania allow Indians to get a visa at the airport or border. Fees range from free to about $56, and you usually need to show hotel bookings, return tickets, and sometimes proof of funds.
• Requirements: Passport valid for at least 6 months, printouts of hotel bookings, return/onward tickets, travel insurance, and sometimes bank statements.
• Timeline: For visa-free entry, you just show up with your documents. For VOA, you fill out a form and pay the fee on arrival.
• Cost: Visa-free entry is free; VOA fees vary but are usually between $20 and $56.

2. Sri Lankan Passport (Rank 95, 42 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Fewer options than India, mostly limited to a handful of Asian and African countries.
• Requirements: Similar to India, but with more restrictions and fewer destinations.
• Cost: VOA fees are similar, but fewer countries offer this option.

3. Bangladeshi Passport (Rank 101, 40 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Even more limited than Sri Lanka, with most travel requiring a pre-approved visa.
• Requirements and Costs: More paperwork, longer wait times, and higher chances of visa refusal.

4. Pakistani Passport (Rank 106, 33 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Among the weakest globally, with very few countries offering easy entry.
• Requirements: Strict checks, limited destinations, and more frequent visa denials.

5. Nepalese Passport (Rank 99, 38 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Slightly better than Pakistan and Bangladesh, but still far behind India.
• Requirements and Costs: Similar to other South Asian passports, with limited travel freedom.

6. Bhutanese Passport (Rank 86, 53 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Stronger than most South Asian neighbors due to Bhutan’s diplomatic ties.
• Requirements: Similar to India, but with fewer total destinations.

7. China 🇨🇳 (Rank 60, 83 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Much broader access, especially in Asia and Africa.
• Requirements: Chinese citizens often face fewer restrictions in certain regions.

8. UAE 🇦🇪 (Rank 11, 183 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: Massive surge in the last decade, now one of the world’s strongest.
• Requirements: Minimal paperwork for most destinations.

9. Singapore 🇸🇬 (Rank 1, 194 Visa-Free/VOA Countries)

• Visa-Free/VOA Access: The world’s strongest passport, offering nearly global access.
• Requirements: Very few restrictions.

Pros and Cons for Different Situations

Indian Passport:
– Pros:
– Largest-ever jump in global ranking, now ahead of all South Asian neighbors.
– Visa-free or VOA access to 59 countries, including popular tourist spots in Southeast Asia and Africa.
– Easier travel for business, tourism, and students.
– Use visa-free countries as stopovers for multi-country trips.
– Cons:
– Still requires pre-approved visas for the United States 🇺🇸, United Kingdom, Schengen Area, and Australia.
– Visa-free/VOA agreements can be temporary or conditional, so rules may change quickly.

Regional Passports (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan):
– Pros:
– Some access to neighboring countries and select destinations.
– Bhutan’s passport is stronger due to diplomatic ties.
– Cons:
– Fewer visa-free/VOA options.
– More paperwork, longer wait times, and higher risk of visa refusal.
– Limited travel freedom compared to Indian passport holders.

China, UAE, Singapore:
– Pros:
– Much broader access, especially for UAE and Singapore.
– Minimal paperwork and easier entry to most countries.
– Cons:
– Not all citizens may qualify for these passports.
– Some countries may still have restrictions based on political or diplomatic issues.

Recommendations for Specific Circumstances

• Frequent Travelers: If you travel often for business or leisure, the Indian passport now offers much greater flexibility, especially in Asia and Africa. Consider using visa-free countries as stopovers to maximize your trips.
• Students and Professionals: The Indian passport’s improved ranking can make it easier to attend conferences, study abroad, or explore job opportunities in more countries.
• Families: For family vacations, destinations like Malaysia, Thailand, and Mauritius are now easier to visit without complicated paperwork.
• Travel to Western Countries: If your main goal is to visit the United States 🇺🇸, United Kingdom, or Europe, you’ll still need to apply for a visa in advance, regardless of which South Asian passport you hold.

Decision-Making Framework

When choosing which passport to use or apply for, consider the following:

1. Where do you want to travel most?
   • If your main destinations are in Asia, Africa, or the Caribbean, the Indian passport now offers strong options.
   • For global travel, especially to Western countries, Singapore and UAE passports are the best, but not easily available to most people.
2. How often do you travel?
   • Frequent travelers will benefit most from the Indian passport’s new visa-free and VOA options.

1. What documents can you easily provide?
   • Indian passport holders should always carry printouts of hotel bookings, return tickets, travel insurance, and bank statements.
2. Are you prepared for changing rules?
   • Visa-free and VOA agreements can change quickly. Always check the latest rules on official government websites like the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
3. Do you need to visit countries with strict visa rules?
   • For the United States 🇺🇸, United Kingdom, Schengen Area, and Australia, you’ll need to apply for a visa, no matter which South Asian passport you hold.

Practical Tips for Indian Travelers in 2025

• Carry physical printouts of all important documents.
• Check official embassy or government websites before booking your trip.
• Keep your passport valid for at least 6 months from your travel date.
• Use visa-free countries as stopovers to explore more places without extra paperwork.

Conclusion

The Indian passport’s rise in the Henley Index means Indian citizens now enjoy more travel freedom than ever before, especially compared to their South Asian neighbors. While it doesn’t yet match the global access of Singapore or the UAE, it offers a practical and affordable way to visit many popular destinations. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this improvement is the result of active diplomacy and new agreements, and more countries may become accessible in the future. Always check the latest rules before you travel, and use official resources to plan your journey. With careful planning, Indian passport holders can now explore the world more easily and confidently than ever before.

Learn Today

Henley Passport Index → An annual ranking measuring the travel freedom of passports worldwide based on visa-free access.
Visa-Free Entry → Travel without requiring a visa before arrival, allowing immediate entry for a set duration.
Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) → Visa granted at the airport or border upon arrival, often with fees and document proof.
Diplomatic Ties → Official relationships between countries affecting visa agreements and travel access privileges.
Pre-Approved Visa → A visa obtained before travel, mandatory for some countries despite other visa-free options.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, the Indian passport advances to 77th place, allowing visa-free or VOA access to 59 countries. This rise surpasses neighboring passports, improving travel ease across Asia and Africa, though visas remain necessary for Western destinations. Strategic planning can maximize travel opportunities for Indian passport holders worldwide.
— By VisaVerge.com