The Indian passport, once seen as a modest travel document, has witnessed a steady transformation in recent years. According to the respected Henley Passport Index, which annually ranks passports based on their global access, India’s performance has seen incremental yet significant improvement. In 2021, India ranked around the 90th position after a challenging year due to pandemic restrictions. Since then, the passport’s stature has risen, climbing to the 85th spot in 2023, then 80th in 2024, and now securing the 77th place in 2025. This steady ascent reflects diplomatic achievements and a growing recognition of Indian travellers worldwide.
For Indian citizens, this progress translates directly into practical benefits. With greater international mobility, students, tourists, families and businesspeople now find it easier to explore the world. The reach of the Indian passport also means more spontaneous travel opportunities and reduced expenses and stress associated with complex visa paperwork.
The top positions on the Henley Passport Index continue to be held by global travel heavyweights. In 2025, Singapore retains the top spot, followed by Japan and Germany, whose passports let their citizens visit almost 190 or more countries without a prior visa. India’s journey upwards is noteworthy, especially in a region where mobility is often taken for granted by wealthier peers.
59 Countries Offer Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Access to Indian Passport Holders
One of the key advantages of holding an Indian passport today is access to 59 countries where advance visa applications are not required. In official terms, these destinations offer either “visa-free” entry or “visa on arrival”—meaning that Indian travellers do not have to go through the lengthy and expensive process of visiting embassies or consulates to apply for visitor visas beforehand.
Below is a comprehensive table listing all such countries and territories, organised by continent:
| Continent | Countries |
|---|---|
| Africa | Angola, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe |
| Asia | Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste |
| North America & Caribbean | Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Oceania | Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu |
| South America | Bolivia |
Note: “Visa-free” and “visa on arrival” destinations are grouped together, as both allow Indians to travel without first visiting an embassy to secure a visa.
Countries Providing e-Visa Facilities to Indian Citizens
In addition to these 59 hassle-free destinations, a growing number of countries now offer e-Visa services to Indian nationals. The e-Visa system allows travellers to apply for a visa completely online without stepping into an embassy—making international journeys far less daunting.
Here are the countries where Indians can obtain e-Visas, grouped by continent:
| Continent | Countries |
|---|---|
| Asia | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam |
| Africa | Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Europe | Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Turkey |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea |
| South America & Caribbean | Suriname, Saint Lucia, Barbados |