India’s Passport Ranking Improves: What Does This Mean for Travelers?
If you are an Indian citizen who loves to travel, you might be curious about how your passport fares in the global arena. How many countries can you visit without a visa? How does your passport compare to other countries? How does your passport power affect your travel plans and experiences?
In this blog post, we will explore the concept of passport power, the factors that determine it, and the latest Indian passport ranking in 2023. We will also discuss what this ranking means for travelers like you, and how you can make the most of your passport potential.
What is Passport Power and How is it Measured?
Passport power is a term that refers to the level of travel freedom that a passport holder enjoys. It is measured by the number of countries that a passport holder can access without a visa or with a visa on arrival. The more countries a passport holder can visit without a visa, the higher the passport power.
There are different ways to measure and rank passport power, but one of the most widely used and recognized sources is the Henley Passport Index. The Henley Passport Index is an annual ranking of passports based on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest database of travel information. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
Another source of passport power measurement is the Global Passport Index, which uses a different methodology and criteria to rank passports. The Global Passport Index considers not only visa-free access, but also other factors such as visa-free score, visa-on-arrival score, United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index (UNDP HDI) score, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) score, and World Health Organization (WHO) score. The Global Passport Index also assigns different weights to different types of visas, such as e-visas and electronic travel authorizations (ETAs).
What is India’s Passport Ranking in 2023?
According to the Henley Passport Index 2023, the Indian passport ranking has improved from 87th in 2022 to 80th in 2023. This means that Indian passport holders can now access 57 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival, up from 60 countries in 2022. India shares the 80th rank with Senegal and Togo.
According to the Global Passport Index 2023, India’s passport ranking has also improved from 66th in 2022 to 71st in 2023. This means that Indian passport holders can now access 71 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival, up from 68 countries in 2022. India shares the 71st rank with Ghana and Uzbekistan.
Here are some tables that show Indian passport ranking and visa-free access for the last five years according to both sources:
Henley Passport Index
| Year | Passport rank | Number of countries offering visa-free or visa on arrival access |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 80 | Visa-free: 16 |
| 2022 | 87 | Visa-free: 16 |
| 2021 | 85 | Visa-free: 16 |
| 2020 | 84 | Visa-free: 16 |
| 2019 | 82 | Visa-free: 16 |
Global Passport Index
| Year | Passport rank | Number of countries offering visa-free or visa on arrival access |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 71 | Visa-free: 22 |
| 2022 | 66 | Number of countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access |
| 2021 | 73 | Visa-free: 21 |
| 2020 | 48 | Visa-free: 17 |
| NA | NA | NA |
What Does Indian Passport Ranking Mean for Travelers?
India’s passport ranking improvement in 2023 is a positive sign for travelers, as it indicates that India has gained more recognition and respect in the international community. It also means that Indian travelers have more options and opportunities to explore the world without the hassle of applying for visas.
However, India’s passport ranking is still relatively low compared to many other countries, especially those in Europe, North America, and Asia. For instance, the world’s most powerful passport in 2023 belongs to Singapore, which offers visa-free access to 192 countries. Germany, Italy, and Spain share the second rank with visa-free access to 190 countries. Japan, South Korea, and Sweden share the third rank with visa-free access to 189 countries.
Even among its neighboring countries, India’s passport ranking is not very impressive. For example, Bhutan ranks 75th with visa-free access to 63 countries. Sri Lanka ranks 76th with visa-free access to 62 countries. Nepal ranks 77th with visa-free access to 61 countries. Bangladesh ranks 78th with visa-free access to 60 countries. Pakistan ranks 107th with visa-free access to 35 countries. Afghanistan ranks 110th with visa-free access to 28 countries.
Indian passport ranking also has some implications for travelers in terms of travel costs, convenience, and security. For instance, travelers with low-ranking passports may have to pay higher fees for visas, travel insurance, and other travel-related expenses. They may also face longer waiting times, stricter requirements, and more scrutiny at immigration checkpoints. They may also have fewer options for emergency assistance or consular services in case of any problems or crises abroad.
Therefore, travelers with an Indian passport should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of their passport power, and plan their trips accordingly. They should also keep themselves updated on the latest travel rules and regulations of their destination countries, as these may change frequently due to various factors such as COVID-19, political situations, security issues, etc.
How to Make the Most of Your Passport Potential?
Despite the limitations of India’s passport ranking, travelers can still make the most of their passport potential by following some tips and strategies. Here are some suggestions on how to maximize your travel freedom and enjoyment with an Indian passport:
- Choose your destination wisely: While you may have a long list of dream destinations, you should prioritize those that offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for Indian passport holders. This will save you time, money, and hassle in applying for visas. You can also look for destinations that offer e-visas or ETAs, which are easier and faster to obtain than regular visas. Some of the most popular and attractive destinations that you can visit without a visa or with a visa on arrival are Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey and more.
- Book your flights and hotels in advance: One of the benefits of having visa-free or visa-on-arrival access is that you can book your flights and hotels in advance without waiting for your visa approval. This will help you secure better deals and discounts on your travel expenses. You can also use online platforms such as Skyscanner or MakeMyTrip to compare prices and options for your flights and hotels.
- Check the travel requirements and restrictions: Even if you don’t need a visa to visit a country, you may still need to meet some other requirements and restrictions such as COVID-19 testing, vaccination certificates, health declarations, travel insurance, etc. You should check the official websites of the destination country’s embassy or consulate in India or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) website for the latest information on these matters. You should also check the validity of your passport and make sure it has at least six months of validity left before your travel date.
- Pack light and smart: Traveling with a low-ranking passport may mean that you have to go through more security checks and baggage screenings at airports and border crossings. To avoid any delays or problems, you should pack light and smart for your trip. You should only carry the essentials such as clothes, toiletries, medicines, documents, etc., and avoid any items that may be prohibited or restricted by your destination country such as weapons, drugs, alcohol, etc. You should also label your luggage clearly with your name, address, and contact details, and keep a copy of your passport and visa (if any) with you at all times.
- Choose the best time to visit: Another way to make the most of your passport potential is to choose the best time to visit your destination country. This will depend on various factors such as weather, festivals, events, peak seasons, off seasons, etc. You should do some research on the climate and culture of your destination country and plan your trip accordingly. You should also check the exchange rates and the cost of living in your destination country and choose a time when you can get the best value for your money.
- Be respectful and responsible: Traveling with a low-ranking passport may also mean that you have to face some stereotypes, prejudices, or discrimination in some countries. To avoid any conflicts or misunderstandings, you should be respectful and responsible when traveling abroad. You should follow the local laws, customs, and etiquette of your destination country and avoid any actions or words that may offend or harm anyone. You should also be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a traveler and report any incidents or issues to the relevant authorities or your embassy or consulate.
- Enjoy and learn: Finally, the most important tip to make the most of your passport potential is to enjoy and learn from your travel experiences. Traveling is a great opportunity to explore new places, meet new people, try new things, and learn new skills. You should make the most of every moment and opportunity that comes your way and appreciate the diversity and beauty of the world. You should also share your stories and insights with others and inspire them to travel more.
Conclusion
- India’s passport ranking has improved in 2023, but it still has a long way to go to reach the top ranks of passport power. However, this does not mean that Indian travelers cannot enjoy their travel freedom and opportunities. By following some tips and strategies, they can make the most of their passport potential and have memorable and meaningful travel experiences. Happy traveling!
