India drops to 85th position in Henley Passport Index 2025; Singapore tops while US falls to 9th
PTC Web Desk: India has seen a significant drop in the Henley Passport Index 2025, slipping five places from 80th to 85th in the global rankings. This drop reflects a decline in the number of visa-free destinations Indian passport holders can access, which now stands at 57. The country shares its rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger, according to the latest update from the Henley Passport Index, which ranks global passports based on the number of destinations that can be accessed without a visa.
The Henley Passport Index, which ranks 199 passports worldwide, uses data from Timatic, provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The ranking is widely recognised as a global measure of passport strength, with the number of countries accessible without a visa being the primary factor.
For the third consecutive year, Singapore maintains its position as the world’s top passport in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. Singapore passport holders can travel visa-free to a remarkable 195 destinations, making it the most powerful passport globally. Following closely behind is Japan, with visa-free access to 193 countries. Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Austria, and Denmark round out the top 10, all holding strong positions with access to 192 or 191 destinations.
UAE: A major climber
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced remarkable progress in the Henley Passport Index over the past decade. Since 2015, the UAE passport has gained access to 72 additional destinations, propelling the nation up by 32 spots. In 2025, the UAE is ranked 10th, offering visa-free access to 185 countries.
The United States: A notable drop
One of the most surprising trends in the 2025 Henley Passport Index is the decline of the United States' passport ranking. Falling from 2nd to 9th, the US has seen a significant drop of seven places. According to Henley & Partners, this change can be attributed to rising political isolationism and inward-looking trends in the country. Despite its economic reliance on immigration, tourism, and trade, the US passport now offers visa-free access to 186 countries, down from 193 in 2015.
The Bottom of the rankings
At the other end of the spectrum, Pakistan and Yemen share the 103rd position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, with both countries offering visa-free access to just 33 countries. Iraq, with access to only 31 countries, follows closely behind, while Syria and Afghanistan occupy the lowest ranks with access to just 27 and 26 destinations, respectively.
- With inputs from agencies
