India’s passport has slipped to 78th place in the latest Henley Passport Index, dropping three spots from its 75th rank in February 2026. While the decline may seem disappointing, there’s a silver lining
for Indian travellers: the passport still offers access to 56 destinations without needing a traditional visa in advance.
What Is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index is one of the world’s most widely referenced passport rankings. It evaluates 199 passports based on how many destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa before departure.
The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It includes three types of easier travel access: visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
That means the higher the rank, the greater the travel freedom.
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Why Did India’s ranking fall?
India’s drop from 75th to 78th in the May 2026 update does not necessarily mean a major diplomatic setback.
Experts note that passport rankings shift frequently due to changes in global visa policies, bilateral agreements, and other countries’ movements in the rankings. In India’s case, the number of visa-friendly destinations remains unchanged at 56, suggesting the drop is more about global recalibration than reduced travel access.
In fact, India had climbed significantly earlier this year—from 85th in 2025 to 75th in February 2026—before this slight dip.
How many countries can Indians visit without a traditional visa?
Indian passport holders currently have access to 56 destinations through one of three easier-entry routes. Of these, 30 countries allow completely visa-free entry, meaning travellers can enter without applying for a visa beforehand.
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Another 23 countries offer a visa-on-arrival, where the visa is issued at the airport or border after arrival.
The remaining 3 destinations require an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which is a simple online pre-approval process completed before departure.
Countries Where Indians Can Travel Visa-Free
Some of the popular visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders include Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius, Barbados, Fiji, and Jamaica. Here’s the complete list of countries which offer visa-free travel to Indians:
- Angola,
- Barbados,
- Bhutan,
- British Virgin Islands,
- Cook Islands,
- Dominica,
- Fiji,
- The Gambia,
- Grenada,
- Haiti,
- Jamaica,
- Kazakhstan,
- Kiribati,
- Macao (SAR China),
- Malaysia,
- Maldives,
- Mauritius,
- Micronesia,
- Nepal,
- Niue,
- Rwanda,
- Senegal,
- St. Kitts and Nevis,
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
- Thailand,
- Trinidad and Tobago,
- Tunisia,
- Vanuatu,
- Barbados,
- Qatar
These remain popular choices for Indian tourists looking for easier holiday planning.
Countries Offering Visa-On-Arrival
Indian travellers can also visit destinations like Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Jordan, and Madagascar using visa-on-arrival facilities. This option remains especially useful for spontaneous or short-notice trips.
Countries That Require ETA
Currently, Indian passport holders can use ETA access for destinations such as Kenya, Seychelles, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. These usually involve a quick online approval process instead of a full visa application.
While rankings attract attention, they don’t always reflect day-to-day travel realities. For most Indian travellers, what matters more is whether popular destinations remain accessible—and they largely do.
