Passport Issuance Systems in 42 Indian Missions Integrated into Passport Seva Project, Says MEA

Indian Passport Climbs 7 Spots to 83 in ’21 Index

The Henley Passport Index (HPI) says the desi passport rose seven position to become the world’s 83rd most powerful document last year, up from 90th in 2020, when this number of countries was 58.

NEW DELHI: Covid-19 may have clipped your wings but an Indian passport now allows you visa-free access to 60 countries. The Henley Passport Index (HPI) says the desi passport rose seven position to become the world’s 83rd most powerful document last year, up from 90th in 2020, when this number of countries was 58.

The latest results from this index show “record-breaking levels of travel freedom” for top-ranking Japan and Singapore since the index’s inception 17 years ago. Without taking temporary Covid-related restrictions into account, passport holders of the two Asian nations can now enter 192 destinations around the world visa-free — 166 more than Afghanistan, which is at the bottom of the list.

Germany and South Korea hold onto joint second spot in the latest ranking, with passport holders able to access 190 destinations visa-free, while Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain share third place, with a score of 189.