News Today: Henley Passport Index 2025 Sri Lankan passport ranking shows a five-place jump with broader visa-free access globally.

Sri Lankan passport holders have a reason to celebrate. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, Sri Lanka has jumped five positions, moving from 96th to 91st place, reflecting steady progress in global mobility.

This significant improvement means that Sri Lankan citizens now have visa-free access to 42 destinations worldwide, including countries across the Caribbean, Africa, the Pacific, and parts of Asia. The upward trend has been consistent in recent years, with Sri Lanka ranked 100th in 2023, 96th in 2024, and now 91st in 2025.

The Henley Passport Index, widely regarded as the most authoritative ranking of global passport strength, bases its evaluation on the number of destinations passport holders can access without obtaining a visa beforehand. The 2025 edition includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, making it an essential benchmark for governments and global citizens.

While Sri Lanka ranks 91st, the top positions are dominated by Asian nations. Singapore leads the list with visa-free access to 193 countries, followed closely by Japan and South Korea with access to 190 destinations. Several European nations, including Germany, France, and Italy, also hold strong positions in the top five.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with its citizens able to visit only 25 countries visa-free. Other notable changes include the UK and US slipping in rankings. The UK now ranks 6th, and the US, 10th—both having previously held the top spot in 2015 and 2014 respectively.

For Sri Lankan passport holders, visa-free countries include:
Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Micronesia, Montserrat, Niue, Rwanda, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tajikistan, Thailand, The Gambia, and Vanuatu.

Additionally, ‘Visa on Arrival’ access is available in 18 countries, including Nepal, Maldives, Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Laos, and others, further boosting travel freedom for Sri Lankan citizens.

This progress is seen as a positive indicator of Sri Lanka’s improving diplomatic relations and global connectivity, fostering tourism, trade, and international collaboration.