India ‘s slip in the passport ranking might seem unexpected, considering that last year, Indian passport holders enjoyed visa-free travel to 60 countries. However, this year, the number has increased slightly to 62.
Summary
- The Henley Passport Index evaluates countries according to the potency of their passports.
- The French passport provides visa-free access to 194 countries for its holders.
- Pakistan maintains its position at 106th place.
The 2024 Henley Passport Index has been unveiled, showcasing France in the lead position, while India’s passport ranking has slightly slipped, moving from 84th to 85th place compared to last year. India’s decline in the passport ranking may appear surprising, especially considering that last year, holders of Indian passports had visa-free travel privileges to 60 countries. However, this year, the number has increased slightly to 62.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates nations according to the strength of their passports. In 2024, France secures the top spot, with its passport granting visa-free access to 194 countries. Joining France in the upper echelons are Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain, all boasting high rankings.
Meanwhile, Pakistan remains steady at 106th place, unchanged from last year, while Bangladesh has slipped from 101st to 102nd position. India’s neighbor, the Maldives, maintains a strong passport, holding its position at 58th place. Maldivian passport holders have the privilege of enjoying visa-free travel to 96 countries.
Despite recent announcements from Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand offering visa-free entry for Indian tourists, India’s drop in the rankings persists. The Henley Passport Index derives its rankings from data spanning the past 19 years, drawn from the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) specialized data. This comprehensive dataset covers 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations worldwide.
Updated every month, the index serves as the universal standard for citizens of sovereign nations.
Ratnavali