World’s most powerful passports: India falls, US drops out of top 10 – check list

Latest developments and expert analysis

India, October 16, 2025 (Thursday)

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 – The Times of IndiaEditionININUSEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign InTOIBusinessIndia BusinessInfrastructureGold Rates TodaySilver Rates Today Platinum Rates TodayFinancial LiteracyDon't Get

ScammedFinancial CalculatorsInternational BusinessCybersecurityMarketsIFSC CodeBudget 2025CryptocurrencyTOI DialoguesCredit ScoreWealthSensexPhotosStartupsVideosFAQsWeb StoriesFinancial Literacy SummitToday's ePaperIndia BusinessBudgetIFSCPAN CardAadhaar CardIPOIncome TaxSavings Growth CalculatorNewsBusiness NewsIndia Business NewsIndia Business NewsIndia’s passport falls to 85th rank in world's most powerful passports index; US drops out of top 10 for

first time – check listTrendingTrump TariffsIndia Passport RankTop Stock TodayGold price predictionUS–India tradeStock Market TodayTarun GargTrump TariffsIndia Passport RankTop Stock TodayGold price predictionUS–India tradeStock Market TodayTarun GargTrump TariffsIndia Passport RankTop Stock TodayGold price predictionUS–India tradeStock Market TodayTarun GargIndia’s passport falls

to 85th rank in world’s most powerful passports index; US drops out of top 10 for first time – check listTOI Business Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Oct 16, 2025, 12:22 ISTShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLargeIndia’s passport ranking has slipped to 85th in

the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 57 destinations. This marks a decline from its previous position. Singapore leads the index with access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea and Japan. Several European nations also feature prominently

Key Developments

in the top rankings. Earlier this year, India’s passport had risen to the 77th rank in Henley Passport Index rankings. (AI image) 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 addition, In fact, as per 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.Visas Revoked! US State Dept ‘Names & Shames’ Foreign Nationals Mocking Charlie Kirk’s DeathAccording 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 2025The top position remains with

Key Developments

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. Moreover, 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.RankCountry/CountriesVisa-Free Access1Singapore1932South

Korea1903Japan1894Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland1885Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands1876Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden1867Australia, Czechia, Malta, Poland1858Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom1849Canada18310Latvia, Liechtenstein182At 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 StrengthAt the twelfth

Key Developments

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. Moreover, 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.About the AuthorTOI Business DeskThe TOI Business Desk is a vigilant and dedicated team of journalists committed

to delivering the latest and most relevant business news from around the world to readers of The Times of India. The primary focus of the TOI Business Desk is to keep a watchful eye on the global business landscape, covering

Key Developments

a wide spectrum of industries, markets, economic trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact businesses and economies. With a mission to provide valuable insights and updates, the desk ensures that TOI readers are well-informed about the ever-changing

and dynamic world of commerce and can navigate the complexities of the business world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social Media Photostories From ‘Border 2’, ‘Ramayana’ to ‘Jailer 2’: 5 Indian movies set to dominate 20263 different types of Labradors:

Which is the perfect Labrador breed for your family?5 weekend habits that keep you ahead in classBlurry vision? It might be sign of diabetes, high blood pressure, or brain problemWhat is Endometriosis: All about the 'painful' condition Victoria's Secret Angel

Barbara Palvin suffered fromWhy waking up at Brahma Muhurta everyday can transform your lifeBroccoli vs. cauliflower: Which is healthier, the right way to cook, and 3 easy dishesA look back at last year’s most stunning Diwali outfits: Janhvi Kapoor to

Shraddha KapoorHow to train your brain to success: 5 simple tips, as per psychology7 foods that help lower cholesterol naturally123Hot PicksUAE Weather AlertRiyadh AirBihar Election DateGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays OctoberBank Holidays OctoberTop TrendingUtah MammothZach YadegariCanada Visa RulesCharlie Kirk

Key Developments

Keywords: India news, breaking headlines, business updates, politics, economy, daily news