The Henley Passport Index mid-year replace, launched on July 22, 2025, has redrawn the worldwide mobility panorama. India surged eight locations, climbing from eighty fifth to 77th, marking its greatest leap in over a decade. Indian passport holders now take pleasure in visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 59 international locations, together with common locations equivalent to Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar. On the high of the rankings, Singapore has retained its title because the world’s strongest passport, providing visa-free entry to 193 locations. The July launch is a part of Henley & Companions’ quarterly index, which ranks 199 passports by the variety of locations their holders can entry and not using a prior visa.
In line with Henley & Companions’ CEO, Dr. Juerg Steffen, a passport has change into greater than a journey doc—it’s a mirrored image of a nation’s diplomatic relationships and world standing.
International Winners and Losers
India emerged as the most important mover within the Henley Passport Index’s July 2025 replace, leaping eight spots to 77th place with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 59 locations. Singapore retained its reign on the high, providing unmatched entry to 193 international locations. The United Arab Emirates continued its long-term ascent, having climbed 34 positions over the previous decade by way of strategic diplomatic outreach and in depth visa agreements. China adopted an identical trajectory, now rating sixtieth after gaining 34 spots since 2014, pushed by deepening world partnerships. Gulf nations additionally confirmed upward momentum—Qatar continued its regular rise fueled by current tourism and mobility agreements, whereas Saudi Arabia gained floor due to tourism reforms and a diversification-focused international coverage. Ukraine, regardless of ongoing battle, improved its mobility by way of strengthened EU journey preparations. In the meantime, the UK noticed a modest rebound to sixth place, partially recovering from its post-Brexit setbacks. The USA, nonetheless, slipped to tenth, marking its lowest place within the index’s 20-year historical past, and Russia fell additional to 52nd amid mounting geopolitical isolation and restricted worldwide entry.
Whereas India’s mobility rating of 59 locations stays under the worldwide common of 111, the nation’s upward pattern displays rising diplomatic momentum and regional affect. The 2025 replace marks a geopolitical realignment in mobility, with Asia and the Center East seeing regular good points, whereas conventional Western passport powers such because the U.S. and U.Okay. face stagnation or decline. As worldwide journey rebounds post-pandemic and visa insurance policies proceed to evolve, India’s rising passport energy indicators a brand new period of worldwide attain for its residents.
