India's Passport Drops to 84th as Visa-Free Access Falls to 55 Places

India's passport has fallen to 84th place in the October 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, tied with Algeria and Mauritania. More important for travellers than the rank is the score: Indian passport holders can now enter 55 destinations without arranging a traditional visa before departure, down from 57 in October 2025.

The index edition is dated 9 October 2026. Singapore sits at the top of the ranking, with access to 193 destinations.

Key facts

• India's rank: 84th, tied with Algeria and Mauritania
• Score: 55 destinations accessible without a prior visa, down from 57 in October 2025
• Rank movement: 85th in the previous October edition, 81st in July 2026
• The index covers 199 passports and 227 destinations
• Singapore leads the ranking with access to 193 destinations

What is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index is published by Henley & Partners. It ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can reach without obtaining a traditional visa before departure, and uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index covers 199 passports and 227 destinations.

Where does India stand in 2026?

India's position has moved several times during the year. It started 2026 at 80th in January, rose to 75th in February and slipped to 81st by July. In the October edition it stands at 84th.

That is one place better than the 85th recorded in the previous October edition, even though the number of destinations reachable without a prior visa has dropped by two. The ranking is a relative measure, so a country can move up the list while its own visa-access score falls, depending on how other passports perform.

Why has India's score fallen?

Changes to entry policies in other countries have reduced the travel access available to Indian nationals. Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indians earlier in 2026, and Bolivia replaced visa-on-arrival access for Indian passport holders with an electronic visa requirement. No other destinations are named in the index summary.

What this means for travellers

For Indian passport holders, the practical measure is not the global rank but the number of destinations that can be entered without a visa obtained in advance, and the entry requirements each country sets. Travellers should confirm the current entry rules for their destination before booking, since access can change during the year.

The index summary does not give a start date for Bolivia's electronic visa requirement or details of how to apply. Further editions of the Henley Passport Index will show whether India's score recovers.