Henley passport index 2026: Indians can now travel to these 55 nations visa free, full list
Tied with Algeria, India now offers visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorisation access to 55 destinations, up from its 85th rank last year
- Jan 14, 2026,
- Updated Jan 14, 2026 12:17 PM IST
India’s climb to the 80th position in the Henley Passport Index 2026 has brought renewed attention to where Indian passport holders can travel without the friction of traditional visas. Tied with Algeria, India now offers visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorisation access to 55 destinations, up from its 85th rank last year.
The improvement reflects a gradual expansion in travel mobility for Indian citizens, particularly across Asia, Africa, Oceania, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East. Compared with several South Asian neighbours, Indian travellers now enjoy broader short-term access for tourism, business visits, and limited study or work stints, without lengthy embassy processes.
With global passport rankings again in focus after the 2026 index release, here is the full, category-wise list of destinations Indian passport holders can access without a prior visa.
Visa-free destinations: No prior approval required
These countries allow Indian citizens to enter without applying for a visa in advance, making them ideal for spontaneous travel, family holidays, or short business trips. Permitted stays typically range from two weeks to several months, depending on local rules.
Visa-free countries for Indians:
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu
Visa-on-arrival / ETA destinations: Permission at the border or online
For these destinations, Indian travellers can either obtain a visa on arrival at the airport or apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. While simpler than embassy visas, entry conditions, fees, and length of stay vary and should be checked before travel.
Visa-on-arrival / ETA destinations for Indians:
Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya (ETA), Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar (ETA), Philippines, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles (ETA), Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis (ETA), St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe
How India compares globally
The Henley Passport Index 2026 shows Asia dominating the top of the rankings. Singapore leads with visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea at 188. European passports continue to cluster near the top, while the UAE has emerged as a standout performer at fifth place.
Within South Asia, India’s relative position is stronger. Pakistan ranks 98th with access to 31 destinations, while Bangladesh is placed 95th with access to 37 destinations, underscoring India’s comparatively wider travel reach despite remaining in the middle tier globally.
India’s climb to the 80th position in the Henley Passport Index 2026 has brought renewed attention to where Indian passport holders can travel without the friction of traditional visas. Tied with Algeria, India now offers visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorisation access to 55 destinations, up from its 85th rank last year.
The improvement reflects a gradual expansion in travel mobility for Indian citizens, particularly across Asia, Africa, Oceania, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East. Compared with several South Asian neighbours, Indian travellers now enjoy broader short-term access for tourism, business visits, and limited study or work stints, without lengthy embassy processes.
With global passport rankings again in focus after the 2026 index release, here is the full, category-wise list of destinations Indian passport holders can access without a prior visa.
Visa-free destinations: No prior approval required
These countries allow Indian citizens to enter without applying for a visa in advance, making them ideal for spontaneous travel, family holidays, or short business trips. Permitted stays typically range from two weeks to several months, depending on local rules.
Visa-free countries for Indians:
Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu
Visa-on-arrival / ETA destinations: Permission at the border or online
For these destinations, Indian travellers can either obtain a visa on arrival at the airport or apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. While simpler than embassy visas, entry conditions, fees, and length of stay vary and should be checked before travel.
Visa-on-arrival / ETA destinations for Indians:
Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya (ETA), Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar (ETA), Philippines, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles (ETA), Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis (ETA), St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe
How India compares globally
The Henley Passport Index 2026 shows Asia dominating the top of the rankings. Singapore leads with visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea at 188. European passports continue to cluster near the top, while the UAE has emerged as a standout performer at fifth place.
Within South Asia, India’s relative position is stronger. Pakistan ranks 98th with access to 31 destinations, while Bangladesh is placed 95th with access to 37 destinations, underscoring India’s comparatively wider travel reach despite remaining in the middle tier globally.