🔗 Share this article

In recent months, an online clip by a popular travel content creator complaining about the limited power of the Indian passport went viral on social media.

The influencer stated that while neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Sri Lanka were more welcoming to travelers from India, obtaining visas for visiting many nations in Europe and the West remained a challenge.

Such concerns with the limited global access of Indian passports was reflected in the latest global passport ranking, ranking India in the 85th spot out of nearly two hundred nations, five spots lower than last year.

Officials in India have not issued a statement on the report yet.

Countries including Rwanda, Ghana and Azerbaijan with much smaller economies than India – a nation that is the fifth-largest economy globally – are ranked higher in the ranking in the seventies range, in that order.

Actually, the country's position over the last ten years has remained around the eighties, even dipping to the 90th spot in 2021. Such standings appear poor compared to other Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and Singapore, all maintaining top positions.

What Passport Strength Indicates

The power of a passport reflects a country's global influence and international standing. It also translates into enhanced travel freedom for passport holders, boosting business and educational prospects. Limited passport power results in more paperwork, increased visa expenses, fewer travel privileges and longer waiting times for travel.

However, even with the decline in the rank, the number of countries offering visa-free access for Indian citizens has actually increased over the last ten years.

As an instance, in 2014 – when the current administration's ruling party assumed office – 52 countries provided visa-free travel to Indians and its passport at seventy-sixth position on the index.

A year later, it fell to the 85th position, then improved to 80th over the past two years, declining once more to the eighty-fifth spot this year. Meanwhile, countries allowing visa-free travel to Indian citizens grew from 52 in 2015 to sixty last year and sixty-two this year.

Increasing Worldwide Travel Competition

The number of nations allowing visa-free entry in 2025 (57) exceeds the number in 2015 (52), yet India's rank during both periods is 85. What explains this situation?

Analysts note that a major reason involves growing competition in global mobility – meaning nations are forming more travel partnerships to benefit their citizens and their economies. As per a 2025 report, the global average count of countries travellers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025.

For example, The Chinese passport has increased its count of visa-free countries available to its citizens from 50 to 82 over the last ten years. Consequently, its position in the ranking has enhanced from 94th to 60th in that same duration.

Meanwhile, India – which was ranked 77th on the index during summer – fell to the 85th position this autumn after losing access to two countries.

Other Influences Impacting Passport Power

A former Indian ambassador says there are other factors influencing a nation's passport power, including economic and political conditions plus its openness to accepting travelers from abroad.

For example, the American passport has dropped out of the top 10 currently holding twelfth place – a historic low – due to its increasingly insular stance in world politics.

The former ambassador recalls how in the 1970s, Indians enjoyed visa-free access to many Western and European countries, but that changed following Sikh separatist movement during the eighties. Subsequent political upheavals have further chipped away the country's reputation as a stable, democratic country.

"Many countries are also becoming increasingly wary of immigrants," he stated. "The country possesses a high number of people migrating to other countries or remaining beyond visa limits affecting the country's reputation."

Elements like the security level of a national passport and immigration processes also play a role in gaining visa-free access to other countries.

Security and Technological Improvements

The Indian passport faces ongoing security risks. In 2024, authorities arrested over two hundred individuals for alleged visa and passport fraud. India is also known for complex immigration processes with lengthy timelines of visa processing.

The former ambassador indicated that new technologies, such as the newly introduced digital passport or e-passport, can improve security and streamline immigration. This electronic document contains a microchip holding biometric data, making it harder to counterfeit or alter the document.

But, more diplomatic outreach and travel partnerships remain key for enhancing international travel freedom for Indian citizens and consequently, the Indian passport's global position.