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Henley Passport Index 2026 Ranks
The Henley Passport Index 2026, 20th Anniversary Edition publishes passport rankings covering 199 passports across 227 travel destinations using International Air Transport Association (IATA) data. The index ranks passports by the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa and reports updated July 2026 standings, including India’s current rank and access count.
Henley Passport Index 2026 (20th Anniversary Edition):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Edition and coverage | Comprises the 2026, 20th Anniversary Edition and compares 199 passports across 227 travel destinations based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data. |
| Ranking basis | Ranks all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. |
| Metrics counted | Includes visa-free access, visa-on-arrival (VOA), and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). |
| Metrics excluded | Excludes standard e-visas, or visas requiring prior government approval before departure, from being counted as visa-free. |
| Top rank (July 2026) | Singapore holds rank 1 with 192 visa-free destinations. |
| Joint 2nd rank (July 2026) | Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hold joint rank 2 with 188 visa-free destinations. |
| Rank 10 (July 2026) | The United States holds rank 10 with 180 visa-free destinations. |
| Lowest rank | Afghanistan holds the lowest rank with 25 visa-free destinations. |
| UAE gain over time | The United Arab Emirates (UAE) records one of the biggest gains over the past 2 decades, climbing to joint 2nd place. |
| Global mobility average (2006 vs. 2026) | In 2006, the average passport allows visa-free access to 58 destinations; today, the global average nearly doubles to 108 destinations. |
| Shifting top-rank dynamics | Two decades ago, the United States holds the top rank; today, the top spot is dominated by Asian nations like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, alongside the UAE. |
| India current rank (July 2026) | India holds rank 81 globally. |
| India access count (visa-free/VOA) | India comprises 55 visa-free or visa-on-arrival (VOA) destinations, down from 56 following the removal of visa-on-arrival access by Cape Verde Islands. |
| India 2026 monthly trajectory | India opens 2026 at rank 80 in January, rises to 75 in February, sits at 80 in June, and adjusts to 81 in July. |
| India long-term ranks mentioned | India holds rank 71 in 2006, reaches a lowest point at rank 90 or 91 in 2021, and holds rank 81 in 2026. |