India's Passport Strength Improves in Henley Passport Index 2023

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Singapore has surpassed Japan to claim the title of the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to an impressive 192 global destinations. Meanwhile, India has made a significant advancement in its ranking. The Indian passport has climbed five places and is now positioned at 80th place in the index, allowing visa-free entry to 57 destinations.

Indian passport holders also enjoy visa-free access and visas on arrival in several countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Rwanda. However, for 177 other destinations worldwide, such as China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and the entire European Union, Indian citizens still need to obtain visas, which has impacted India’s overall mobility score.

Japan, which held the top spot for five consecutive years, has now dropped to third place due to a decrease in the number of destinations accessible without a visa. The United States, once the leader in the ranking nearly a decade ago, has slipped two places to secure the eighth position. On the other hand, the United Kingdom, recovering from the Brexit-induced setback, has risen two places to claim the fourth position, matching its standing in 2017.

Singapore’s popularity as a destination for the wealthy has surged, driven by factors like a crackdown on private enterprise in China and geopolitical tensions. However, obtaining Singaporean citizenship and the privilege of using its passport is no easy feat. The country, with a population of 5.6 million, granted citizenship to approximately 23,100 individuals last year and has ruled out offering citizenship based solely on an individual’s net worth earlier this year.