Latest news with #HenleyPassportIndex
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Passport Index: SA loses access to another visa-free country
South Africa's passport power has decreased yet again, according to the latest Henley Passport Index, which revealed the newest rankings of all of the world's passports for 2025. The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world's passports according to the number of destinations their passport-holders can travel to visa-free. 'With historical data spanning 19 years, the Henley Passport Index is the only one of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.' Henley & Partners says. According to these rankings, the SA passport has dropped another spot from 50 to 51 on the list of 199 passports. The index also highlighted that South Africans can now only travel to 103 destinations, after losing visa-free travel access to Nigeria. South Africans travelling to this African nation will now require an e-visa for entry. Here are is the updated list of the top five most powerful passports: Rank Country Number of visa-free countries 1 Singapore 193 2 Japan 190 2 South Korea 190 3 Denmark 189 3 Finland 189 3 France 189 3 Germany 189 3 Ireland 189 3 Italy 189 3 Spain 189 4 Austria 188 4 Belgium 188 4 Luxembourg 188 4 Netherlands 188 4 Norway 188 4 Portugal 188 4 Sweden 188 5 Greece 187 5 New Zealand 187 5 Switzerland 187 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Thinking of going to Africa for an animal safari? Here's why you should plan one soon
The thrill of the chase, the anticipation of seeing a big cat in their natural habitat, the bumpy jeep rides & the satisfaction of finally getting what you came for - a safari, be it in Africa or India, is an exciting break away from the work-life hustle. Far removed from the luxuries that a city can offer, swapping a relaxing vacation to live in the jungle means roughing it, but this trend has become increasingly popular among people of all ages. A recent Thomas Cook report notes that, for around 75% of Indians, experiential travel is taking centre stage. And one such experience that's seeing an uptick is Wildlife Safaris (around 32%). They are all-inclusive, adventurous and allow travellers to come face-to-face with Nature. With safari season in Africa from May to August and Indian Safari season best done between October to June, this is the perfect time to plan your next trip. A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney) Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & M.I.C.E, Thomas Cook India Limited, says, 'Africa has emerged as a highly sought-after destination for leisure travel for multigenerational families, young working professionals, and friend groups seeking one-of-a-kind outdoor and luxury experiences. There is also a lot of demand for wildlife safaris retreats from corporate MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) groups.' Botswana and Rwanda offer eco-conscious lodges, while other prefer to combine 'beach-and-bush' itineraries as travelers combine safaris in Kenya or Tanzania with a luxury retreat in Zanzibar, Seychelles, or South Africa's Cape Town. With the Indian passport ranked at 85 (Henley Passport Index 2025) and some 50 destinations allowing visa-free/visa-on-arrival, the travel preference leans to locations that make entry easy. Its also no secret that countries which make the visa process a breeze have seen Indians flock to those locales. A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday) Africa wants to get in on the action. In January, South Africa introduced a new visa regime - the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). "This allows approved tour operators to register with the department and submit group visa applications for their travellers, streamlining the process and cutting through red tape," read a press note by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs. Another reason that African safaris are gaining popularity? An increasing number of celebrities are vacationing there. Recently, actors Sydney Sweeney and Luke Evans, and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles shared snips from their jungle safaris. Even actors like Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday have visited the continent and enjoyed an adventurous trip. A post shared by SIMONE BILES (@simonebiles) For travel blogger Mahek Desai, travelling to Africa's Masai Mara is a dream come true. 'I am doing a solo safari trip. It's my birthday gift to myself. I find myself happier with animals and I just know it is going to be amazing,' she says. On the other hand, retiree Rajnikant Mirkar and his wife Trupti have just got back form an 'unforgettable experience' with a jeep-load of memories. He says, 'We are nature lovers and we have visited most of India's wildlife sanctuaries. So we decided to head to Africa to experience it as well. We visited Kenya and Tanzania, along with the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro National Park. We're lucky to spot the big 5 - the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, African elephant, and African buffalo.' Engineering student Nile Lopes has grown up watching wildlife documentaries on television. He says, 'Visiting Africa and going on a safari has been a childhood dream. We were followed by African buffalo, spotted a herd of elephant and zebras, and even saw a pride of lions resting in the shades of acacia trees.' If you are making plans to travel to Africa for the safari season, Manoj Adlakha, Founder & CEO, RedBeryl, shares a few tips that will help: Back home in India, jungle safaris are also gaining traction with celebrities like actor-couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar spending time in Jhalana Leopard Reserve in Jaipur and Kaziranga National Park, Assam. In May, giving further impetus to the tourism trend of safaris, the Maharashtra government approved a ₹286 crore tiger safari project in Chandrapur. On the other hand, in the Botanical Garden in Kondapur in Hyderabad, one can hop on a bus, don a VR headset and let nature come alive across a 2-kilometre safari ride, where you are transported to the dense forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats or Antarctica's icy slopes. You can also have digital encounters with big cats, penguins, and other exotic creatures. However, if you've been under the impression that safaris only happen in the summer or winter months in India, think again. Several Indian national parks are open to tourists during the monsoons. Wildlife photographer Priyansha Singh tells us, 'While the core zones in northern and central parts of India are closed in the rainy months (usually July to September), the southern parks, like Periyar (in Kerala), Nagarhole, Kabini, Bandipur (in Karnataka), and Ranthambore (in Rajasthan), etc, and the buffer zones are open." And publicist Priyanka Deepak Joshi couldn't agree more. During her recent trip ot Gir National Park (Gujarat) with her family, she spotted several big cats and has 'amazing experience'. 'I saw a lioness walk by our jeep and it was so thrilling. While the rains have made a difference, it actually makes spotting animals like lions more visually striking against the green background,' she tells us. Even resorts and hotels present in and around sanctuaries are seeing a higher number of requests for monsoon safaris. Rajat Gera, Commercial Director of Six Senses Fort Barwara, which is located in Ranthambore National Park, says, 'We've observed a notable evolution in the profile of luxury travelers visiting us during the rainy season." If you ask him what makes this type of safari an interesting travel time, he shares, "The Monsoon Safari reveals the forest in its most vibrant form — lush and teeming with new life. Following the dry summer, the rains breathe life back into the landscape and wildlife sightings take on an unexpected character. With fewer safari gates open, the experience becomes is exclusive and personal, as animals roam, play, and hunt once again.'
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Countries Indian passport holders can visit with a valid US visa
Did you know your Indian passport can suddenly open doors to dozens of countries, just by having a valid US visa? Yep, that little sticker isn't just your ticket to Times Square or Disneyland. It also unlocks a ton of travel perks most people don't even know about. Let's be honest: the Indian passport doesn't get too far on its own. Ranked 65th on the Passport Index and 82nd on the Henley Passport Index, it offers pretty limited visa-free access compared to, say, Japan or Germany. But here's the travel hack: a valid US tourist visa (typically B1/B2) can quietly boost your global mobility in a big way. Why? Because a US visa signals strong vetting and trust. That's why dozens of countries across Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and even a few in Europe welcome Indian travelers with open arms if they already hold a valid US visa. Many of these places offer visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or super-easy e-visas, skipping the long embassy queues. There are a few conditions, of course. Your US visa usually needs to be valid for at least six more months, and some countries prefer that you've used it at least once before. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bee Keepers of India Selling Pure Honey online to Indian consumers via Ecommerce Website Scrolling Bee India Read More Undo Europe While Europe is mostly Schengen territory (which still requires a separate visa), several non-Schengen countries have opened their doors to Indian travelers holding valid US visas. These destinations offer a mix of history, culture, and stunning landscapes—no embassy paperwork required. Albania – Visa-free for 90 days Bosnia and Herzegovina – Visa-free for 30 days Georgia – Visa-free for 90 days Montenegro – Visa-free for 30 days North Macedonia – Visa-free for 15 days Serbia – Visa-free for 90 days Turkey – e-Visa available for 30 days America(North, Central & South) From the beaches of Mexico to the rainforests of Costa Rica, many countries across the Americas waive visa requirements if you have a valid US visa. Some only require that your US visa has been used at least once. Mexico – Visa-free for 180 days Belize – Visa-free for 30 days Costa Rica – Visa-free for 30 days El Salvador – Visa-free for 90 days Guatemala – Visa-free for 90 days Honduras – Visa-free for 90 days Nicaragua – Visa-free for 30 days Panama – Visa-free for 30 days (US visa must be used once) Colombia – Visa-free for 90 days Peru – Visa-free for 180 days Caribbean Island hopping in the Caribbean is made easier if you already hold a US visa. Many island nations allow Indian travelers in without additional paperwork, perfect for a spontaneous beach getaway. Aruba – Visa-free for 30 days Bahamas – Visa-free for 30 days Bermuda – Visa-free for 90 days British Virgin Islands – Visa-free for 30 days Curaçao – Visa-free for 30 days Dominican Republic – Visa-free for 30 days Sint Maarten – Visa-free for 30 days Antigua and Barbuda – Visa-free for 30 days Saint Kitts and Nevis – Visa-free for 90 days Jamaica – Visa-free for 90 days Asia A few Asian countries now allow simplified entry for Indian travelers with a US visa. While the stay durations are shorter in some cases, it's great for quick getaways or business trips. Philippines – Visa-free for 14 days Singapore – Visa-free transit (VFTF) up to 96 hours South Korea – Visa-free for 30 days (conditions apply) Taiwan – e-Visa for 30 days Malaysia – Visa-free transit up to 120 hours (conditions apply) Middle East Traveling to the Middle East is now easier too. These countries provide visa-on-arrival or e-visas to Indian citizens holding valid US visas, making the region more accessible than ever. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Visa-on-arrival for 14 days Oman – e-Visa for 30 days Qatar – e-Visa for 30 day Africa Only one African nation currently allows entry with a valid US visa, but it's a hidden gem worth exploring. São Tomé and Príncipe – Visa-free for 15 days One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
The world's most powerful passports in 2025, ranked
The Henley Passport Index ranks the most powerful passports in the world for visa-free travel. Singapore is in the top spot with its passport, which allows holders to travel to 193 countries. The US passport can access 182 countries — it's tied for 10th place with two other countries. Thinking of visiting Brazil, Australia, or India with a US passport this summer? Not so fast ... or at least not before securing a visa. Some of the best wonders of the world require US citizens to obtain a visa before takeoff, an inconvenience in planning that long-awaited international getaway. US passport holders can access 182 countries globally without a visa, putting it in 10th place among world passports on the global mobility spectrum, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. Passports from 33 other countries provide more global mobility than a US passport and two other countries are tied with the US for mobility. The index is a ranking of passports based on how many countries their holders can access without a visa and is based on data from the International Air Transport Authority. Singapore is in the top spot with its passport, which allows holders to travel to 193 countries without first securing a visa. Japan had previously held the No. 1 position but has since fallen to No. 2, joining South Korea with access to 190 countries. Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by ascending number of visa-free travel options, based on the Henley Passport Index. This ranking is accurate as of May 2025. 10. Lithuania, Iceland, and the United States Passport holders from these countries can visit 182 countries without visas in 2025. Until April, US citizens were able to visit 183 countries visa-free. However, Brazil now requires US citizens to secure a visa before entering the country, dropping US passport holders one spot on the Henley Passport Index. 9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia Holders of these passports can visit 183 countries without a visa in 2025. 8. Estonia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates Travelers can visit 184 countries without a visa in 2025 if they have a passport from Estonia, Canada, or the United Arab Emirates. 7. Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, and Poland Travelers can visit 185 countries without visas in 2025 with a passport from Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, or Poland. 6. United Kingdom Holders of UK passports can visit 186 countries without a visa. 5. Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland Travelers can visit 187 countries without a visa in 2025 if they have a passport from these countries. 4. Austria, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, and Belgium These passport holders can visit 188 countries without visas. 3. Ireland, Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain These passports give access to 189 countries without a visa. 2. Japan and South Korea Holders of passports from Japan and South Korea can visit 190 countries without a visa. 1. Singapore Travelers can visit 193 countries without a visa in 2025 if they have a passport from Singapore. Zoe Rosenberg contributed to an earlier version of this report. This story was first published in January 2023 and updates were made in January 2024, June 2024, October 2024, March 2025, and May 2025. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
The world's most powerful passports in 2025, ranked
The Henley Passport Index ranks the most powerful passports in the world for visa-free travel. Singapore is in the top spot with its passport, which allows holders to travel to 193 countries. The US passport can access 182 countries — it's tied for 10th place with two other countries. Thinking of visiting Brazil, Australia, or India with a US passport this summer? Not so fast ... or at least not before securing a visa. Some of the best wonders of the world require US citizens to obtain a visa before takeoff, an inconvenience in planning that long-awaited international getaway. US passport holders can access 182 countries globally without a visa, putting it in 10th place among world passports on the global mobility spectrum, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. Passports from 33 other countries provide more global mobility than a US passport and two other countries are tied with the US for mobility. The index is a ranking of passports based on how many countries their holders can access without a visa and is based on data from the International Air Transport Authority. Singapore is in the top spot with its passport, which allows holders to travel to 193 countries without first securing a visa. Japan had previously held the No. 1 position but has since fallen to No. 2, joining South Korea with access to 190 countries. Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by ascending number of visa-free travel options, based on the Henley Passport Index. This ranking is accurate as of May 2025. 10. Lithuania, Iceland, and the United States Passport holders from these countries can visit 182 countries without visas in 2025. Until April, US citizens were able to visit 183 countries visa-free. However, Brazil now requires US citizens to secure a visa before entering the country, dropping US passport holders one spot on the Henley Passport Index. 9. Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia Holders of these passports can visit 183 countries without a visa in 2025. 8. Estonia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates Travelers can visit 184 countries without a visa in 2025 if they have a passport from Estonia, Canada, or the United Arab Emirates. 7. Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, and Poland Travelers can visit 185 countries without visas in 2025 with a passport from Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, or Poland. 6. United Kingdom Holders of UK passports can visit 186 countries without a visa. 5. Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland Travelers can visit 187 countries without a visa in 2025 if they have a passport from these countries. 4. Austria, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, and Belgium These passport holders can visit 188 countries without visas. 3. Ireland, Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain These passports give access to 189 countries without a visa. 2. Japan and South Korea Holders of passports from Japan and South Korea can visit 190 countries without a visa. 1. Singapore Travelers can visit 193 countries without a visa in 2025 if they have a passport from Singapore. Zoe Rosenberg contributed to an earlier version of this report. This story was first published in January 2023 and updates were made in January 2024, June 2024, October 2024, March 2025, and May 2025. Read the original article on Business Insider
