Visa-Free Countries for Indians

Hyderabad, July 25: In a major boost to international mobility for Indian travelers, 59 countries now offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Indian passport holders in 2025. According to the Henley Passport Index’s mid-year update, India has jumped eight places in the global passport ranking, moving from 85th to 77th position.

This improvement in India’s ranking is attributed to the addition of two new countries that now offer visa-free access to Indian citizens.

📈 Global Passport Rankings: India on the Rise

The Henley Passport Index, published by UK-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index ranks countries according to the number of destinations their citizens can access without a prior visa.

• India now ranks 77th, with 59 destinations offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry.

• Singapore retained the top spot with access to 193 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea (190 destinations).

• European nations like Germany, France, Italy, and others dominate the top 5, with New Zealand, Switzerland, and Greece in 5th place.

• The US and UK, once leaders in the rankings, have dropped to 10th and 6th places respectively.

🌍 Full List of Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Countries for Indians in 2025

Indian passport holders can now travel without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival to the following 59 countries:

Africa & Indian Ocean:

• Angola

• Burundi

• Cape Verde Islands

• Comoro Islands

• Djibouti

• Ethiopia

• Guinea-Bissau

• Kenya

• Madagascar

• Malawi

• Mauritius

• Mozambique

• Namibia

• Rwanda

• Senegal

• Seychelles

• Sierra Leone

• Somalia

• Tanzania

• Zimbabwe

Asia & Oceania:

• Bhutan

• Cambodia

• Indonesia

• Iran

• Jordan

• Kazakhstan

• Laos

• Macao (SAR China)

• Malaysia

• Maldives

• Mongolia

• Myanmar

• Nepal

• Philippines

• Sri Lanka

• Thailand

• Timor-Leste

• Vanuatu

• Palau Islands

• Samoa

• Tuvalu

• Fiji

• Kiribati

• Marshall Islands

• Micronesia

• Niue

• Cook Islands

Americas & Caribbean:

• Barbados

• Bolivia

• Dominica

• Grenada

• Haiti

• Jamaica

• Montserrat

• St. Kitts and Nevis

• St. Lucia

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Trinidad and Tobago

• British Virgin Islands

📢 What This Means for Indian Travelers

With India’s global standing improving, more countries are recognizing the strength of the Indian passport. This expanded access offers greater flexibility for business travel, tourism, and cultural exchange — especially important as outbound Indian tourism is expected to surge in the coming years.

Travelers are, however, advised to check specific visa policies before travel, as terms and duration of stay may vary by destination.

🌐 Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in 2025 (Henley Index)

1. Singapore

2. Japan and South Korea

3. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Finland, Denmark, Ireland

4. Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg

5. Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand

6. United Kingdom

7. Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland

8. Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates

9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia

10. United States, Iceland, Lithuania

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With India continuing to negotiate and improve bilateral ties, the number of visa-free destinations is expected to grow further in the coming years.

Opinion: India’s Growing Passport Power Reflects Global Confidence, But More Work Remains

India’s steady climb in the Henley Passport Index, rising eight spots to 77th in 2025, is a promising sign of its evolving global standing. With 59 countries now offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Indian citizens, this reflects increasing diplomatic goodwill and international confidence in India’s economic and political stability.

However, this is just a beginning. Compared to countries like Singapore or Japan, where passport holders enjoy near-global access, India still has a long way to go. Several major destinations — including the US, Schengen countries, and much of Europe — still require lengthy and sometimes unpredictable visa processes for Indian travelers.

To further improve travel freedom, India needs to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, easing trade and tourism agreements, and ensuring consistent domestic stability. The current momentum is encouraging, and if nurtured carefully, Indian citizens could enjoy even broader global access in the near future — a true sign of India’s rising influence in the 21st century.

— Naveed Uddin Khan Uzair
Opinion Contributor, Crime Today News

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