India passport drops to 78th despite access to 56 visa-friendly destinations
Visa-free, VOA and ETA routes continue supporting regional tourism
DUBAI – India’s passport has slipped to 78th position in the latest May 2026 update of the Henley Passport Index, arriving at a time when Eid holiday travel planning is accelerating across the country.
Despite the decline from 75th place earlier this year, Indian passport holders continue to benefit from relatively broad international mobility through visa-free, visa-on-arrival and electronic travel authorisation arrangements.
The latest ranking places India alongside Burkina Faso, Cuba and Senegal in the global index, reflecting how closely grouped many mid-tier passports remain. Officials and mobility experts say the changes are largely linked to ongoing adjustments in international visa regulations rather than any major shift in India’s diplomatic travel agreements.
The Henley Passport Index, based on International Air Transport Association data, evaluates 199 passports across 227 destinations worldwide and frequently fluctuates as countries revise entry policies.
India passport ranking
India’s passport ranking has shown considerable movement over the past year. In 2025, Indian travellers enjoyed access to 57 destinations globally. By January 2026, that number dropped slightly to 55 countries before increasing again to 56 in February after The Gambia was added back to the accessible list.
Although the latest May update maintains access to 56 destinations, India’s overall rank has slipped from the brief high of 75th recorded earlier this year. Analysts note that the index measures relative mobility, meaning ranking changes often occur because of stronger or weaker performances by other countries rather than direct changes affecting Indian travellers.
The latest fluctuations underline how dynamic international mobility rankings have become amid rapidly evolving visa frameworks worldwide.
Holiday demand
The update arrives as demand grows for short-haul international trips during the Eid and summer holiday season. Travel agencies across India are reporting increased interest in destinations offering simplified entry procedures, particularly among families and young travellers seeking quick regional breaks.
Countries across Asia, the Middle East and island regions continue to attract Indian tourists because of smoother immigration processes and reduced paperwork requirements. Visa-on-arrival and electronic authorisation systems are increasingly preferred by travellers looking to avoid lengthy embassy procedures.
Indian passport holders currently enjoy access to 56 destinations through three major entry systems:
- 30 visa-free destinations
- 23 visa-on-arrival destinations
- 3 destinations requiring ETA approval
Visa-free access allows Indian citizens to enter without obtaining a visa before departure, subject to immigration checks upon arrival. Countries in this category include Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu and The Gambia.
Entry options
Visa-on-arrival destinations continue to play a significant role in supporting outbound tourism from India. These visas are typically issued at airports or land borders upon entry. Popular destinations in this category include Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, electronic travel authorisation systems require travellers to complete online approvals before departure. Indian citizens can currently obtain ETA access for Kenya, Seychelles and St Kitts and Nevis.
Several destinations continue to attract Indian tourists because of easy entry systems combined with strong tourism infrastructure. Thailand and Malaysia remain among the most popular regional choices, while Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles continue drawing luxury and honeymoon travellers.
The Henley Passport Index also highlights the growing global mobility gap between the world’s strongest and weakest passports. Singapore currently leads the rankings with access to 192 destinations. Japan, South Korea and the UAE follow with access to 187 destinations, while major European countries including Germany, France and Spain remain among the top-performing passports globally.
The United States and the United Kingdom also continue to rank among the world’s most powerful travel documents.
India’s strongest passport performance historically came in 2006, when it reached 71st position globally. Despite recent fluctuations, mobility experts say the broader long-term trend still reflects gradual improvement in international travel access for Indian citizens, even as countries continue revising border and visa policies at a rapid pace.