In an unprecedented turn of events, six countries have jointly claimed the coveted top position on the 2024 Henley Passport Index, offering their citizens unparalleled global mobility with visa-free access to 194 destinations out of 227. The remarkable feat sees four European Union member states — France, Germany, Italy, and Spain — along with Japan and Singapore. The latter two nations, consistent leaders in passport strength for the past five years, continue to assert their dominance, maintaining their first-place ranking.
Where does India stand?
The top 10 on the Henley Passport Index is predominantly Euro-centric, with South Korea joining Finland and Sweden in second place, boasting visa-free access to 193 destinations. Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands share the third spot with access to 192 destinations. The United Kingdom made significant progress, climbing two ranks to secure the fourth position with visa-free access to 191 destinations, reflecting an improvement from the previous year.
India, while not in the top tier, holds a respectable 80th position on the index, providing its citizens with visa-free access to 62 destinations, including popular tourist hotspots like Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. This year’s ranking marks a three-position jump for India from last year.
Key rankers in the list
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the most significant climber over the past decade, ascending an impressive 44 places from 55th to the 11th position. Other noteworthy climbers include Ukraine and China, each gaining a net total of 21 places over the past 10 years. Ukraine now stands at 32nd place with 148 visa-free destinations, while China secures the 62nd spot with access to 85 destinations without a prior visa.
Russia, despite a net gain of 24 destinations over the past decade, maintains stability in its global mobility standing. Currently holding the 51st place with access to 119 destinations, Russia showcases consistency in its visa-free score and ranking since 2017.
According to Henley & Partners Chairman Christian H Kaelin, the average number of destinations accessible without a visa has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. The top-ranked nations can now travel to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the ranking with access to only 28 countries without a visa.