What the Indian passport can learn from Singapore, the world’s most powerful

Henley Global on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, unveiled its Passport Index, crowning Singapore’s passport as the world’s most powerful once again.

While Singapore shared the top spot last year with France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain, this year it has reclaimed the throne exclusively, as these countries slipped in the rankings. The title is well-deserved – holders of a Singaporean passport can travel to 195 countries without needing a visa. Over the past eight years, Singapore has consistently ranked in the top two and has remained amongst the top ten for over two decades, solidifying its reputation as a travel powerhouse.

In comparison, India’s passport is ranked 85th on the latest Henley Passport Index, granting visa-free access to 57 countries.

But what gives Singapore’s passport such unrivalled clout, and how has it maintained its dominance over the years? The answer lies in far more than just the colour of its cover.

The Passport Index
This year, Singapore has reclaimed its title as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to an impressive 195 out of 227 global destinations listed in the Henley Passport Index. This achievement places Singapore firmly ahead of second-ranked Japan, which grants visa-free entry to 193 destinations, including China—a significant milestone since the restoration of travel post-Covid-19 lockdowns.

The third spot is shared by a group of EU nations—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Finland—along with South Korea. Citizens of these countries enjoy visa-free travel to 192 destinations worldwide, underscoring their strong global mobility.

Now, if you’re wondering how this agency ranks its countries, let us give you a quick crash course.

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports by comparing their visa-free access to 227 global destinations. For each destination where no visa is required, the passport earns a score of 1. The same applies if travellers can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA), a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) upon entry.

If a visa is mandatory, or if travellers must secure a government-approved electronic visa (e-Visa) or pre-departure authorisation for a visa on arrival, the passport receives a score of 0.

In simple terms, a passport’s overall score reflects the total number of destinations it grants access to without requiring a visa, making it a clear measure of global travel freedom. This data, by the way, is exclusively received from International Air Transport Association (IATA).

So, when it gives Singapore the ‘strongest passport’ title, it means holding a Singaporean passport can give you the freedom to travel more easily than any other passports. Not only Henley, but organisations and reports that also show the same. For instance, the passport index has also ranked Singapore’s passports in the top 10 for 2025.

How is Singapore’s passport the strongest?
How does a country make its passport strong and travel easy for its citizens? Well, there are various reasons.

Global mobility
Singapore’s passport is unmatched in global mobility, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 out of 227 destinations. This exceptional reach allows Singaporeans to travel with ease, whether for business or leisure, making it a symbol of unparalleled international freedom. As Manoj Dharmani, CEO of DUDigital Global, a company specialising in visa facilitation, tells India Today, “Singapore’s passport has emerged as the world’s most powerful travel document.”

Strategic diplomatic relations
At the heart of Singapore’s passport strength lies its robust diplomatic relations. The country has forged extensive bilateral and multilateral partnerships, ensuring visa waivers and simplified entry procedures with numerous nations. Louis D’Souza, a travel expert and the director of Tamarind Global, explains, “Singapore’s emphasis on diplomatic ties, economic strength, and its status as a global hub for trade and tourism play pivotal roles in sustaining its passport power.” These strong alliances have earned Singapore a high degree of international trust, translating directly into greater travel freedom for its citizens.

Consistent economic stability
Singapore’s consistent economic growth and political stability have significantly enhanced its passport’s global standing. A strong and reliable economy reassures other nations, leading to more open visa policies for Singaporean passport holders.

“Through years of careful diplomacy, economic success, and stable governance, Singapore has transformed its little red passport into a golden ticket for global travel and thus international trust,” says Dharmani.

Commitment to security and integrity
The integrity of Singapore’s passport is another cornerstone of its strength. Rigorous issuance processes and state-of-the-art security features make forgery nearly impossible, earning global confidence. This commitment to security ensures smoother immigration processes and fewer travel restrictions for its citizens. This brings us to another next point.

Advanced biometric technology
In 2006, Singapore was one of the first to launch a biometric visa. These e-passports contain embedded microchips storing personal data like digital photographs and fingerprints, making them both secure and efficient.

Biometric passports streamline immigration procedures, especially at e-gates in major airports, ensuring faster and more reliable border clearance. This technological edge further bolsters its passport’s reputation.

PS: India first launched biometric passports, in 2008 as a pilot project, initially only issuing them to diplomatic passport holders.

How can India do better?
Both Singapore and India are Asian countries, but if you’re an Indian and have ever applied for a Schengen or US visa, you know that the struggle is real. Visa rejections often impact a lot of our travel plans. This year’s data shows that India’s passport is ranked 85th globally. This marks a slip of 5 positions since the last year.

However, Dharmani notes that India’s passport tells a different story – one of gradual change and untapped potential. “Currently ranked 85th globally, India’s position on the passport power index reflects both its challenges and opportunities. The Covid-19 pandemic dealt a significant blow, pushing India’s ranking down to 90th in 2021 from its previous high of 71st in 2006,” he notes.

But there’s still scope for change, according to experts. Here are some ways that both experts suggest:

Strengthen diplomatic relations
Experts suggest that India must expand its network of bilateral agreements, aiming for more visa waiver deals with key countries. By boosting diplomatic ties and fostering mutual trust, Indian travellers can benefit from easier global access.

Promote inbound tourism
Another step can be simplifying visa regimes for international tourists. This can create reciprocal agreements with other countries. A welcoming policy towards foreign travellers often encourages similar concessions for Indian passport holders.

Enhance infrastructure and governance
Streamlining bureaucratic processes and ensuring consistent foreign policies are essential. As D’Souza mentions, “Addressing internal challenges like bureaucracy and focusing on key sectors like tourism, technology, and trade can enhance India’s global reputation.”

Focus on economic growth and stability
Even though India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, experts suggest that economic success and political stability are key drivers of international trust. A stronger economy can reassure other nations, making them more inclined to offer visa-free access to Indian travellers.

“A stronger Indian passport will make international travel more accessible for citizens and also elevate India’s standing on the global scale. This path is challenging, but Singapore’s success shows us that the vision and commitment is achievable,” D’Souza concludes.