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There is no dispute in the fact that Indians love to travel, especially to foreign destinations. Be it solo travel, visiting friends and relatives (VFR), family vacations, weddings or for education and work, Indian travellers are fascinated about visiting international destinations and there is no stopping them. Excepts for one thing that often becomes a barrier. And we’re sure that most of you have guessed it by now. which is getting a visa. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
2 / 14Although many countries have added the Indian passport to visa on arrival or visa free travel lists, Indian travellers get visa free access to only 57 countries when compared to other countries some of which get visa free access to nearly 193 countries. Take a look at the 10 most powerful passports in the world and find out where India ranks, according to the Henley and Partners Global Passport Index 2025. Fun fact: the American passport no longer ranks in the top 10 spot. Data has been sourced by the International Air Transport Association. (Image: Shuttestock)
3 / 14The 2025 ranking reveals that holders of the world’s most powerful passports can travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access to as many as 193 destinations, offering unparalleled ease of movement for tourism, business, and migration. In contrast, countries lower down the index, including those in the 80s rank range, face considerably more travel limitations, underscoring the ongoing imbalance in global mobility rights.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
4 / 14No 1. Country: Singapore | Visa-free entry to countries: 193 | Singapore tops the list with access to 193 destinations without the need for a prior visa. This makes it the most powerful passport in the world, reflecting the country’s strong diplomatic relations. Travellers from Singapore enjoy seamless movement across most of the globe. (Image: Shutterstock)
5 / 14No 2. Countries: South Korea and Japan | Visa-free entrt to countries: 190 | South Korea and Japan are tied in second place, granting their citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 countries. These two East Asian nations consistently rank high in passport strength due to their economic influence and international partnerships. Their passports offer extensive travel freedom across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. (Image: Shutterstock)
6 / 14No 3. Country: Germany | Visa-free entry to countries: 189 | Germany holds the third position with access to 189 countries. Known for its strong global standing and stability, the German passport offers broad travel opportunities. German citizens benefit from visa-free access throughout the Schengen Area and beyond. (Image: Shutterstock)
7 / 14No 4. Countries: Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland | Visa-free entry to countries: 188 | Tied at fourth are Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland, with visa-free access to 188 destinations. These European nations benefit from EU agreements and high diplomatic influence. Holders of these passports can travel freely across much of the world with minimal restrictions. (Image: Reuters)
8 / 14No 5. Countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands | Visa-free entry to countries: 187 | Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands share the fifth rank, offering access to 187 countries. Their EU membership and global ties ensure wide-ranging travel freedom. Citizens of these nations enjoy simplified entry to most international destinations. (Image: Shutterstock)
9 / 14No 6. Countries | Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden | Visa-free entry to countries: 186 | Ranked sixth, Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden provide entry to 186 destinations without a visa. These countries maintain strong international relations and agreements. Their passports are highly regarded for ease of global mobility. (Image: Shutterstock)
10 / 14No 7. Country: Australia, Czech Republic, Malta, Poland | Visa-free entry to countries: 185 | Australia, Czechia, Malta, and Poland are tied at seventh place, with access to 185 countries. These passports reflect robust foreign relations and secure visa arrangements. Citizens enjoy simplified travel to major regions including North America and Europe. (Image: Shutterstock)
11 / 14No 8. Countries: Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom | Visa-free entry to countries: 184 | In eighth position are Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, with visa-free access to 184 countries. This group includes both European Union members and the UAE, which has rapidly expanded its diplomatic reach. The UK’s global ties remain strong post-Brexit, supporting its high ranking. (Image: Shutterstock)
12 / 14No 9. Countries: Canada | Visa-free entries to countries: 183 | Canada holds ninth place with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 countries. The Canadian passport is widely respected and benefits from the country’s stable international standing. Canadian travellers face minimal restrictions across most continents. (Image: Shuttertstock)
13 / 14No 10. Country: Latvia | Visa-free entries to countries: 182 | Latvia rounds out the top ten with visa-free access to 182 countries. As a member of the EU and Schengen Area, it enjoys strong regional mobility. The Latvian passport offers solid travel benefits for both tourism and business.
14 / 14Rank 85. Country: India | Visa-free entries to countries: 57 | India is ranks 85th in the global passport index, significantly lower than the top-ranking nations. While Indian passport holders have access to several Asian, African, and Caribbean countries without a visa, many destinations still require prior clearance. Efforts to improve bilateral visa agreements are ongoing to enhance the strength of the Indian passport.
