Henley Passport Index 2026

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Reports & Indices

Why in News?

India ranked 84th in the October 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index.

According to the index, Indian passport holders can travel to 55 destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance.
Compared to October 2025, when India was ranked 85^th with access to 57 destinations, the country improved by one position in 2026.

Visa-Free Destinations Available to Indian Passport Holders – The following destinations permit entry to Indian passport holders without a visa requirement:

Region/grouping	Examples
Asia	Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Macao, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand
Africa	Angola, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal
Caribbean	Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica
Oceania / Pacific	Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Niue, Vanuatu
Other destinations	British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Montserrat, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago

Henley Passport Index

It ranks passports according to the number of destinations accessible to holders without requiring a visa in advance.
The index utilises data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The index evaluates 199 passports in relation to 227 travel destinations.
A higher score indicates greater international travel mobility.
Types of access included in the score

Category	Meaning
Visa-free entry	No visa required before travel, subject to entry conditions
Visa on arrival	Visa obtained after reaching the destination
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)	Electronic permission required before travel, where applicable

Scope and Limitations of the Assessment – The ranking assesses the following:
- International travel accessibility as determined by visa requirements.
- The comparative level of mobility afforded by a passport.
However, the ranking does not assess the following:
- Eligibility for obtaining work visas.
- Eligibility for obtaining student visas.
- Eligibility for permanent residency or citizenship in foreign countries.
- The comprehensive scope of immigration or employment rights in other countries.

Reference

ET | Henley Passport Index 2026