India’s Passport Ranks 84th in Henley Passport Index October 2026

According to the October 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index that came out on October 9, India is ranked at number 84, along with Algeria and Mauritania. Despite the improvement from number 85 as was the case with the index published in October 2025, the number of countries where Indians can go without getting their visas beforehand has decreased from 57 to 55. The current ranking also sees India three spots behind its July 2026 ranking of 81st, thus demonstrating the difference between a passport’s rank worldwide and its actual travel freedom.

Henley Passport Index October 2026: Important Details

Why Has the Passport Ranking of India Changed?

Passport ranking is a comparative measure. It is relative to both the passport country’s access score and those of other passports in the index. This means that a country can move up in the ranking even if its number of destinations accessible without visas falls.

From the above report, it is evident that India’s score decreased from 57 to 55 destination countries in October of 2025 to October of 2026 respectively. The reason for the decrease is partially attributed to the change of entry terms with regard to Iran and Bolivia.

However, the move from 85 to 84 in rank does not necessarily mean that Indian passport owners can access more countries now.

Singapore at the Top of the Henley Passport Index 2026

In the October 2026, Singapore comes out first with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries. Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates occupy the second spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 countries each.

the contrast in access scores between Singapore and India demonstrates the inequitable spread of travel access. However, the index is only an indication of travel access for eligible travel and not of the right to live, work or study in any other country.

Visa-Free Access: What It Is in Henley Passport Index

Henley Passport Index defines how many destinations are accessible without a visa or without a traditional visa being issued prior to traveling.

In order to calculate the index, each destination which allows visa-free access, visa on arrival, visitor’s permit or electronic travel authorization (eTA) is assigned with a qualifying access score. Each destination that requires pre-arranged visa from the government before departure doesn’t receive the access score.

The main categories are,

• Visa-free entry: no visa is required for an eligible visit, however, there are other conditions of entering this country.
• Visa on arrival: visa or permission is needed after arrival according to the requirements of the destination country.
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA): it is an electronic travel authorization which may be needed by eligible travelers before departure.
• Electronic visa (e-visa): this visa type usually requires pre-trip approval via the internet.

These categories are not interchangeable and therefore an index score of 55 does not mean that 55 destinations are accessible without documentation.

What Are Some of the Places Where Indian Passengers Will Be Able to Travel without a Visa in 2026?

As mentioned in the supplied report, the places that will allow Indians traveling visa-free in 2026 include the following,