India's Passport Ranking Falls in 2026: Check the New Position and Visa-Free Access
A passport's strength can have a major impact on how easily its holders can travel internationally. According to the 2026 Passport Index ranking cited in the report, India's passport has slipped seven places and now stands at 73rd globally.
India has a mobility score of 69 and shares the position with Zimbabwe, Uganda, Uzbekistan, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Vietnam.
How Many Countries Can Indians Travel To Without a Visa?According to the ranking, Indian passport holders can currently travel to 25 countries without obtaining a visa in advance.
In addition:
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25 countries offer visa-free access
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39 countries provide visas on arrival
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129 countries require a visa to be obtained in advance
The figures indicate the level of international travel access available to Indian passport holders according to the particular index's methodology.
India was ranked 66th in the 2025 edition of the same ranking, with a mobility score of 73.
At that time, visa-on-arrival access was listed for 44 countries. The latest figures therefore show a reduction in India's position as well as in the number of destinations offering visa-on-arrival access.
Which Passport Ranks First?The United Arab Emirates (UAE) occupies the top position in the 2026 ranking cited in the report, with a mobility score of 181.
According to the index, UAE passport holders can enter 138 countries without a visa and obtain a visa on arrival in another 43 countries. A prior visa is required for 17 destinations.
At the other end of the ranking, Afghanistan is placed 99th. Its passport holders can travel to six countries without a visa and obtain visas on arrival in 29 countries, while 163 destinations require a visa in advance.
India's government has also commented on international passport rankings.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written Lok Sabha reply on July 31 that the government is aware of ratings published by private institutions using their own criteria.
He also stated that there are no globally accepted parameters for ranking passports and, therefore, no single passport-ranking system can be treated as a universal global standard.
Passport rankings are useful for comparing travel access under a particular index's methodology, but they should not be interpreted as an official global measure of a passport's overall strength.
Visa policies can also change during the year as countries introduce, remove or modify visa requirements. Therefore, travellers should always check the latest entry requirements of their destination before booking an international trip.