The Henley Passport Index Q1 2026, released on February 13, 2026 by Henley & Partners, showed India climbing 10 places year-on-year to 75th position — its best ranking since 2014. Indian passport holders can now access 56 countries either visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival (VOA), up from the previous year but with two destinations (Iran and Bolivia) removed following policy changes.

India's improved ranking is attributed to a series of bilateral visa-liberalisation agreements signed over the past 18 months: Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan extended 60-day visa-exemption windows; Kenya and Rwanda scrapped advance visa requirements for Indian tourists; and Caribbean states Barbados and Dominica formalised visa-on-arrival privileges. However, Iran scrapped its visa-free entry for Indians following trafficking concerns, and Bolivia shifted Indians to an e-visa requiring prior approval.

Globally, Singapore retained the top position with access to 192 destinations, followed by European Union passport holders. The index, calculated using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. India's rising passport strength reflects its growing diplomatic outreach and economic stature — relevant for the large Rajasthani diaspora in Gulf countries who travel internationally for employment and business.