Malta's Golden Visa Scheme Becomes Obsolete As India Drops Further in Global Passport Rankings

Singapura, 02 February (AP): The Henley Passport Index for 2025 has listed Singapore as the country with the world's strongest passport, allowing its citizens visa-free access to an impressive 195 destinations. Japan comes in second with access to 193 destinations, a position it regained after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malta, however, is no longer eligible for its golden passport program due to EU changes and has dropped out of the top rankings, falling to the 8th spot globally with visa-free access to 187 destinations as of 2025. The move comes as Indian citizens continue to experience a decline in global passport rankings.

According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, countries that top the ranking have stronger diplomatic relationships and simplified international travel options for their citizens. On the other hand, weaker passports result in restricted access to fewer destinations due to factors such as political instability, security concerns, economic challenges, and limited diplomatic relations.

At No. 106, Afghanistan holds the worst position with visa-free access to only 26 locations, two less than last year. The country's restricted travel policy is often a result of ongoing conflicts, civil wars, and unstable governments that hinder diplomatic relations and travel agreements.

The Indian passport, ranked 85th in 2025, continues to face challenges in maintaining its ranking due to changes in global travel policies and India's diplomatic relations. Its historical performance shows fluctuations over the years, but it is now on a downward trend.

This decline indicates that countries with weaker passports such as Afghanistan will find it increasingly difficult to participate in international affairs and facilitate their citizens' movement abroad as they move upwards or downwards in the rankings.