The freedom to travel for people with an Indian passport changed a lot in 2026. Indian travelers received conflicting results from the 2026 Henley Passport Index, which published the “paradox of power” late on January 19.
India’s global passport ranking has risen five places to 80th; however, the number of countries Indians can visit without a visa before departure has fallen from 57 in 2025 to 55 in 2026.
At first glance, this doesn’t seem to make sense. But in global mobility, rank isn’t absolute. India’s rise is a sign that other countries lost access more quickly, making the Indian passport stronger even as fewer doors remain open.
Consequently, these changes occur from policy shifts worldwide. Some countries have made it easier for Indian tourists to enter without a visa, while others have made it harder. As a result, how Indians can travel globally in 2026 will be affected.
WHY INDIA’S VISA-FREE NUMBERS SHIFTED IN 2026?
The Henley Passport Index is a list that ranks passports based on how strong they are compared to others throughout the world. Some countries made border controls harsher, security checks better, and digital screening even stricter in 2026.
Because of this, people with certain papers slowly lost their right to enter India without a visa. This helped India move up in the rankings, even as the number of people who could enter the nation without a visa decreased slightly.
Concerns over safety led to reforms in policies and foreign relations in 2026. It was a “two steps forward, four steps back” year, plain and simple.
MORE LOSES THAN GAINS THIS YEAR
India gained visa-free entry to two countries in 2026 but lost access to four, bringing the total down from 57 to 55 destinations.
2 NEW VISA-FREE DESTINATIONS ADDED IN INDIAN PASSPORT IN 2026
- MALAYSIA
Indian passport holders can now visit Malaysia visa-free for tourism and stay up to 30 days. Travelers no longer need to obtain a regular visa in advance. Instead, they must complete an online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before departure.
This is part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to develop tourism links with India, one of the country’s main export markets in Southeast Asia.
- KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan is the largest country in the world without any water, yet it’s also easy for Indian tourists to get there. Indians can now travel to the U.S. without a visa for up to 14 days at a time, for a total of 42 days within 180 days. Most of these stays are for brief business visits or vacations.
This move shows that India and Central Asia are collaborating more effectively to achieve goals.
4 DESTINATIONS NO LONGER VISA-FREE IN 2026
Four countries have updated their entry requirements. As a result, Indian passport holders now need a visa to visit these countries.
- IRAN
Iran stopped allowing Indian passport holders to enter without a visa in late 2025. Now, all Indian travelers must obtain a visa before visiting or transiting Iran.
- BOLIVIA
Bolivia will require Indian travellers to obtain an e-Visa before arrival, starting January 1, 2026. Entry will require a visa in advance, consistent with the Henley criteria.
- SENEGAL
Senegal now requires Indian tourists to obtain a visa in advance and submit additional paperwork under new immigration procedures.
- ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia now requires Indian travellers to obtain permission in advance, rather than granting visa-free entry on arrival.
HOW IT IS HELPFUL FOR INDIAN TRAVELERS IN 2026
More Strategic Travel Planning
Even though many areas in Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and Oceania still don’t need visas, losing access to countries like Iran and Bolivia shows how quickly travel laws may change. Before you make an appointment, always verify the prerequisites.
Digital Entry Is Still Useful
Digital registration or arrival cards are becoming more popular in nations like Malaysia and Kazakhstan to make travel easier. These cards are a compromise between not needing a visa at all and having to get a regular visa.
There is just one way to look at the Henley Ranking
The Henley Passport Index ranks countries by how easy it is to enter them without a visa. Henley says that some countries also offer visa-on-arrival (VOA) or electronic travel authorizations (ETA), which make travel easier even if they aren’t “visa-free.”
Essential Travel Requirements for New Visa-Free Destinations
Malaysia (30-Day Visa-Free Stay)
- Purpose: Tourism only
- MDAC: Must be completed online at least 3 days before travel
- Passport: Valid for 6+ months
- Documents: Return ticket, accommodation proof, proof of funds
- Funds: Approx. ₹40,000–₹50,000 recommended
- Warning: Working on a visa-free entry can result in deportation
Failure to show MDAC confirmation may lead to fines or denied entry.
Kazakhstan (14-Day Visa-Free Stay)
- Purpose: Tourism, private visits, short-term business
- No pre-approval required
- Passport: Valid for 6+ months
- Registration:
- Hotels register guests automatically
- Private hosts must notify authorities within 3 days
- Travel insurance: Recommended
Thinking of Travelling in 2026?
Your Indian Passport Guide:
India is now tied for 80th place in the world with Algeria. India has bounced back nicely from its 90th-place finish in 2021, though it is still behind regional rivals such as China (64th) and the United Arab Emirates (5th).
Indian passport holders can travel to 55 places without needing a visa before they leave.
Visa-Free Destinations
- Angola
- Barbados
- Bhutan
- British Virgin Islands
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Macao (SAR China)
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Nepal
- Niue
- Rwanda
- St Vincent
- Grenadines
- Thailand
- Trinidad
- Tobago
- Vanuatu
Visa-on-Arrival / ETA Destinations
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Djibouti
- Guinea-Bissau
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Laos
- Madagascar
- Maldives,
- Marshall Islands
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Palau Islands
- Qatar
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- St Kitts
- Nevis
- St Lucia
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
- Zimbabwe
Important Note for Travelers
Visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorization (ETA) rules can change quickly due to security, diplomatic, health, or migration factors. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recommends confirming official entry requirements at least 72 hours before travel.
Final Thought
The 2026 index shows that India’s passport strength is slowly becoming better, but it is still vulnerable to rapid changes in foreign policy. Changes in politics, security concerns, or migration pressures, especially in West Asia and Latin America, can quickly shift the circumstances for entrance.
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