While the Indian passport currently holds the 78th position on the Henley Passport Index, travelers still enjoy significant mobility across Asia, Africa, and island nations just in time for the holiday season.
DUBAI/NEW DELHI: As the Eid holiday travel season gains momentum, Indian passport holders have received a key update on their global mobility. In the latest May 2026 update of the Henley Passport Index, the Indian passport is ranked 78th, allowing citizens to visit 56 destinations worldwide without the need for a prior traditional visa.
The ranking reflects a slight adjustment from the 75th position held earlier this year in February. Experts suggest these fluctuations are primarily due to recalibrations in global visa policies by partner nations rather than a structural shift in India’s diplomatic standing.
The Current Mobility Landscape
India currently shares its 78th rank with Burkina Faso, Cuba, and Senegal. Despite the minor slip in rank, the number of accessible destinations remains stable at 56, providing ample opportunities for short-haul festive getaways. The current access is broken down into three categories: Visa-Free, Visa-on-Arrival (VOA), and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Notable destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan continue to offer visa-free entry, a result of successful bilateral negotiations over the past year. Meanwhile, popular hubs like the Maldives, Qatar, and Indonesia remain accessible via visa-on-arrival.
Full List of Destinations (May 2026)
Visa-Free Entry
Travelers can enter these countries without any prior visa, subject only to standard immigration checks:
- Asia: Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand.
- Africa: Angola, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal, The Gambia.
- Americas & Caribbean: Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.
- Oceania: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Niue, Vanuatu.
Visa-on-Arrival (VOA)
A visa is issued at the point of entry (airport or border) without prior application:
- Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste.
- Middle East: Jordan, Qatar.
- Africa: Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
- Oceania: Marshall Islands, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu.
- Caribbean: St. Lucia.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
A pre-travel online approval required before departure:
- Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis.
Why the Rankings Shift
The Henley Passport Index, which utilizes data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. Rankings are dynamic and comparative; a country may slip in rank even if its access remains the same, simply because other nations improved their standing more significantly.
In 2026, Singapore maintains its lead as the world’s most powerful passport (192 destinations), followed closely by Japan, South Korea, and the UAE (187 destinations).
Travel Advisory for the Festive Season
With demand rising for regional travel, authorities advise Indian citizens to ensure their passports have at least six months of validity and at least two blank pages. While these 56 destinations offer “easy entry,” travelers should still carry proof of return tickets, hotel bookings, and sufficient funds to ensure a smooth immigration process.
