Major update for Indian passport holders: See full list of visa-free destinations in May ranking

India’s passport has slipped to 78th position in the latest Henley Passport Index, coming just as Eid holiday travel planning gathers pace across India.

Despite the slight dip from 75th earlier this year, Indian travellers continue to enjoy access to 56 global destinations through visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VOA) and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) routes, keeping short-haul festive getaways firmly within reach this season.

The change is linked to ongoing recalibrations in global visa policies, rather than any major alteration in India’s bilateral travel agreements. Earlier in February 2026, India briefly rose to 75th place, underscoring how frequently passport rankings adjust based on international mobility updates.

In the latest standings, India shares the 78th position with Burkina Faso, Cuba and Senegal, highlighting how closely grouped many mid-tier passports are within the global index.

The Henley Passport Index shows India gaining 10 places overall, even as the number of accessible destinations fluctuated over recent months.

In the May update, India’s visa-access profile remains broadly stable overall, even as rankings fluctuate in the latest Henley Passport Index.

Officials note that such fluctuations often reflect policy changes by partner countries, rather than a structural shift in India’s passport strength.

Despite the minor drop in total destinations compared with last year, India’s ranking improved due to larger declines in other countries’ scores. The index measures relative global mobility, not only absolute visa access.

The variations highlight ongoing global visa policy adjustments rather than a consistent downward trend.

The update comes as Eid holiday travel planning gains momentum, with Indian travellers increasingly focusing on short-haul, visa-friendly international destinations. Demand is rising for quick getaways that offer smooth entry processes and minimal documentation requirements.

With the festive break approaching, interest remains strong in destinations offering visa-on-arrival, visa-free entry or electronic travel authorisation (ETA), supporting easy regional travel across Asia, the Middle East and island destinations.

Indian citizens currently enjoy access to 56 destinations under visa-free, visa-on-arrival (VOA) and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) arrangements.

Visa-free travel allows entry without any prior visa requirement, subject to standard immigration checks on arrival.

Visa on Arrival (VOA) is issued at the point of entry without prior application, usually at airports or border checkpoints.

ETA is a pre-travel online approval that must be obtained before departure, without needing a traditional visa stamp.

This provides continued flexibility for short-haul tourism, business travel and festive season trips, particularly across nearby regions.

Planning a trip this year? Here’s a look at all the visa-free and visa-on-arrival (VOA) destinations to add to your bucket list.

The Henley Passport Index is based on access to 227 global destinations across 199 passports, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Rankings change when countries adjust visa policies, making the system highly dynamic.

At the top of the 2026 rankings:

India’s passport reached its peak rank of 71st in 2006. The current rise to 75th reflects a gradual recovery in global mobility, even amid periodic shifts in visa policies worldwide.

While the total number of visa-free destinations has seen small fluctuations, India’s upward movement in global ranking reflects relative improvement in travel strength compared to other countries.

The overall trend signals steady gains in international mobility for Indian travellers, even as global visa rules continue to evolve.