SerpApi.Org
The Indian passport has slipped one more place in the July 2026 update of the Henley Passport Index's 20th anniversary edition. It now ranks 81st globally, allowing Indian passport holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations.
Throughout the year, so far, the passport has fluctuated between 75–81 position. In June 2026, the passport was ranked 80th, while in February it had climbed to 75th from the 80th position it held in January this year.
The index measures the strength of a passport's global mobility based on the number of destinations its holders can visit without applying for a visa beforehand, including those offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, or an e-visa. This 20th anniversary edition shows how much global travel has changed over the past two decades.
The last 20 years show a decline in the strength of the Indian passport, according to the index. In 2006, it stood at the 71st position. It dropped to its lowest rank of 91st in 2021 before gaining momentum again.
How passport power evolved
Back in 2006, the average passport allowed visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 58 destinations. Today, that number has nearly doubled to 108, highlighting the steady expansion of global mobility.
Two decades ago, the world's most powerful passports—including those of the US, Denmark and Finland—opened doors to 130 destinations without a prior visa. Today, Singapore leads the rankings, with its passport granting access to 192 destinations.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates shares the second spot with Japan and South Korea, with each passport providing access to 188 destinations.
With travel becoming a lifestyle and people spending more on even short international getaways, tourism has become a significant sector for several nations. In 2006, 26 passports were part of the top 10 rankings. Today, that number has increased to 38.
Infact, initially, the USA was placed at the 1st position and the UK ranked 3rd. Today, the USA sits in 10th place and the UK ranks 6th. However, Afghanistan still remains at the bottom.
Here's the list of the top 10 passports for July 2026.
The rankings are compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are updated every month to reflect changes in visa policies around the world.
The index compares 199 passports across 227 travel destinations, making it one of the most widely used benchmarks for measuring global passport strength. Because visa rules change frequently due to diplomatic agreements and policy decisions, the rankings are updated regularly to provide an up-to-date picture of global travel access.
