India’s passport falls to 85th rank in world’s most powerful passports index; US drops out of top 10 for first time – check list
World’s most powerful passports 2025: India, the world’s fifth largest economy, has a passport that doesn’t feature even in the top 50 strongest passports in the world. In fact, according to the latest Henley Passport Index rankings for October, India’s passport has dropped to the 85th position.The Henley Passport Index ranks countries based on the travel freedom their standard passports provide to citizens.Earlier this year, India’s passport had risen to the 77th rank in Henley Passport Index rankings. Holding an Indian passport allows you to travel to 57 countries without the need for a visa. Last year, you could access 62 destinations visa-free with the Indian passport.According to the 2025 rankings, India and Mauritania jointly hold the 85th position. Several nations permit Indian passport holders to enter without visas, including Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports In the World 2025
The top position remains with Singapore, whose passport permits entry to 193 nations without visas. South Korean passport holders can visit 190 countries, securing the second position, whilst Japan holds third place with access to 189 nations. Asian countries dominate the top rankings.The fourth position is jointly held by Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland, offering visa-free travel to 188 destinations. Similarly, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland and the Netherlands share the fifth rank, providing access to 187 countries without visa requirements.
At the sixth position are Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, whose passports allow entry to 186 nations without visas. The seventh rank is shared by Australia, Czechia, Malta and Poland, permitting visa-free access to 185 countries.Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom jointly hold the eighth position, providing visa-free entry to 184 nations. The ninth position belongs to Canada, offering visa-free travel to 183 countries.The tenth position is occupied by Latvia and Liechtenstein, granting visa-free access to 182 destinations.
Fall of US Passport Strength
At the twelfth position, the United States and Malaysia allow visa-free travel to 180 countries. This marks a historic shift as the United States drops from the top 10 rankings for the first time.In the previous year, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Singapore jointly led the index with 194 visa-free destinations, whilst the United States held the seventh position with visa-free access to 188 countries.Among neighbouring countries, Pakistan occupies the 103rd position with 31 visa-free destinations, whilst Bangladesh ranks 100th with 38 countries. Nepal stands at 101st position with access to 36 nations, and Bhutan holds the 92nd rank with 50 visa-free destinations. Sri Lankan citizens can travel to 41 destinations without visas, placing the country at 98th position.Afghanistan possesses the least powerful passport globally, allowing entry to only 24 countries without visas. Syria follows with 26 visa-free destinations, whilst Iraq has access to 29 countries.
