KATHMANDU: Nepal has been ranked 95th in the Henley Passport Index 2025, granting its citizens visa-free access to 38 destinations. This marks a modest improvement from its 98th position in 2024, although the number of visa-free destinations has decreased slightly from 40 to 38.

The Henley Passport Index is regarded as the world’s most authoritative ranking of passports, based on the number of destinations their holders can travel to without a prior visa. The data is compiled by Henley & Partners, using exclusive input from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and supplemented through ongoing research and open-source validation.

Singapore once again leads the global list, offering its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea in second place with 190 destinations. Several European nations, including Germany, France, and Italy, tied for third place with access to 189 destinations.

In contrast, Nepal finds itself just above Pakistan (ranked 96th, 32 destinations) and countries like Somalia, Yemen, and Iraq, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom, ranked 99th, with access to just 25 destinations.

India holds the 77th position, with visa-free access to 59 countries, an improvement from its 80th ranking in 2024. However, its visa-free tally has dropped from 62 destinations last year.

The visa-free score represents the number of destinations a passport holder can visit without requiring a visa in advance. These include destinations offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VOA), or Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA).

The Index is updated monthly and includes 199 different passports and 227 destinations. Henley & Partners emphasizes that less than 1% of all passports grant visa-free access to over 190 destinations.

Nepal’s slight rise in ranking, despite fewer visa-free destinations, reflects shifts in global mobility dynamics and ongoing visa policy changes worldwide.