Indian travellers are finding it easier than ever to explore the world. According to the Henley Passport Index 2026, India has secured the 80th position, sharing the rank with Algeria and Nigeria. While the ranking remains modest, Indian passport holders now enjoy access to 55 destinations worldwide without the traditional visa stress.
This improved access reflects growing diplomatic ties, tourism agreements, and simplified entry policies adopted by several countries to encourage travel.
Before packing your bags, it’s important to understand the different entry categories mentioned in the index:
Visa-free: No visa required before or upon arrival
Visa on Arrival (VOA): Visa granted at the destination airport
ETA (Electronic Travel Authority): Online authorisation required before travel
Indian citizens can travel to several destinations with no visa requirement at all, making them ideal for spontaneous trips. These include:
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.
These countries allow Indians to either obtain a visa at the airport or complete a simple online authorisation process:
Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya (ETA), Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles (ETA), Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis (ETA), St Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe.
While the Henley Passport Index provides a helpful overview, visa policies can change quickly due to diplomatic or security considerations. Entry rules may also differ based on length of stay or purpose of travel.
Travellers are advised to always check the latest guidelines from official embassy or immigration websites before booking tickets.
With access to 55 destinations and expanding global mobility, the Indian passport may not yet be among the strongest—but it is steadily opening more doors for international travel in 2026.
