Indian passport holders can now travel to 57 countries visa-free as Global citizenship and residence advisory company Henley & Partners in its latest index has ranked India's passport to the 81st position from 87th place in 2022.

The Henley Passport Index ranking system is based on the number of travel destinations their holders can access without the need for a prior visa largely based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This index encompasses 199 different passports and covers 227 travel destinations.

The duration of stay varies from one week to three months and depending on the country.

Although there is no requirement for a visa, people need to follow certain guidelines like avoid carrying prohibited items, and also carry a doctor's prescription for medication.

Other important documents inclue a valid passport for at least six months, passport-size photos, return ticket, accommodation details, bank statement( 3 months), and a negative Covid-19 health certificate.

On the traveller lands, they must fill out an application/registration form online or offline for visa-free countries and pay applicable fees.

"On arrival, customs officials check passports, travel documents, financials, and identity details before providing an entry stamp," says Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook (India) Limited.

The list of countries are:

Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niue, Oman, Palau Islands, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.

However, Indian passport holders will need a visa to enter 177 destinations across the world in countries like China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and the entire European Union.

According to the report, Singapore replaces Japan, the country to be at the top of the list for five years, becoming the country to have the world’s most powerful passport.

Singapore allows visa-free entry to 192 global destinations.

Japan now stands at the third rank, while US which topped almost a decade ago now stands at the eight place.

UK, on the other hand, stands at fourth.

India stands at 81 alongside Senegal and Togo.