Henley Passport Index: India's rank slips to 85th as China climbs to 64th

Henley Passport Index 2025: India’s Rank Slips to 85th, China Rises to 64th 

Context:

The Henley Passport Index 2025, published by Henley & Partners (London-based global citizenship consultancy), ranks countries based on the number of destinations their citizens can access without a prior visa.

The index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated quarterly.

Key Findings (2025 Edition):

1. India’s Position:
   • Rank: 85th (down from 80th in 2024 and 77th earlier in 2025).
   • Visa-free access: 57 countries (earlier 59).
   • Tied with: Mauritania.
   • Long-term trend: India’s ranking has fluctuated between 71st (2006) and 90th (2021), showing modest overall improvement in mobility over two decades.
2. Top-Ranked Passports (2025):
   • 1st: Singapore – 193 visa-free destinations.
   • 2nd: South Korea – 190 destinations.
   • 3rd: Japan – 189 destinations.
   • Asia continues to dominate global mobility rankings.
3. China’s Rise:
   • Rank: 64th (up from 94th in 2015).
   • Visa-free destinations: 37 more than a decade ago.
   • Recent expansion: New bilateral visa-free agreements with Russia, Gulf States, South America, and European nations, signaling Beijing’s diplomatic outreach and growing global connectivity.

Breakdown of Indian Passport Access (2025):

1. Visa-Free Travel (12 countries):
   Bhutan, Dominica, Haiti, Indonesia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nepal, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Senegal, Serbia, Trinidad & Tobago, Vanuatu.
2. Visa-on-Arrival (27 countries):
   Includes Maldives, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Qatar, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Tanzania, Laos, and Samoa, among others.
3. e-Visa Facilities (44 countries):
   Major destinations include Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Vietnam, Georgia, Singapore, South Africa, Oman, and Russia.
4. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA):
   Kenya, Seychelles, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Analysis:

1. India’s Decline in Mobility:
   • The fall reflects tightening visa policies, limited bilateral travel liberalization, and lack of reciprocal agreements.
   • Global geopolitical shifts and post-pandemic security measures have also contributed to reduced travel access.
2. China’s Strategic Diplomacy:
   • China’s passport improvement is a direct result of active visa diplomacy and reciprocal travel arrangements, particularly with Europe and Latin America.
   • Reflects Beijing’s broader foreign policy goal of global engagement through soft power.
3. Regional Comparison:
   • Japan, Singapore, and South Korea dominate the top, reflecting Asia’s strong economic integration and international trust.
   • India lags behind regional peers like Malaysia (12th) and China (64th), suggesting the need for more proactive foreign policy engagement in mobility agreements.
4. Implications for India:
   • Weak travel freedom can impact business mobility, tourism, academic collaboration, and the global perception of ease of movement.
   • Strengthening diplomatic outreach, especially in Africa, Europe, and Latin America, could help India negotiate mutual visa relaxation agreements.

Static Information:

• Index Name: Henley Passport Index
• Publisher: Henley & Partners, London
• Data Source: International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Frequency: Quarterly (Four times a year)
• Purpose: Measures global travel freedom based on visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
• India’s Rank (2025): 85th (access to 57 destinations)
• Top Passport (2025): Singapore (193 destinations)
  
  Updated : Oct 15 2025  2:02 PM  | Business Standard