Sri Lanka passport has dropped to 98th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, highlighting concerns over the nation’s declining travel freedom and international mobility. This shift reflects broader geopolitical and visa policy trends.
Sri Lanka passport slips to 98th place in the Henley Index, revealing growing travel access challenges.
Sri Lanka’s passport has experienced a notable decline in global mobility strength, sliding to 98th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. The latest update marks a two-position drop from last year’s ranking of 96th, underscoring persistent challenges faced by Sri Lankan travelers on the international stage.
According to the Henley Passport Index — a globally respected benchmark that evaluates 199 passports based on access to 227 destinations — Sri Lankan passport holders can now enter only 41 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. This figure places the nation well below many of its Asian peers and highlights the mounting need for stronger international partnerships and visa agreements.
The decline in ranking comes at a time when countries across the Asia-Pacific region are expanding their travel privileges. Singapore leads the 2025 index with an impressive 193 visa-free destinations, followed by South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189. These numbers sharply contrast with Sri Lanka’s limited travel access, reinforcing concerns about the country’s relative isolation in terms of international mobility.
For Sri Lankans, the reduced ranking has tangible implications. Fewer visa-free destinations often translate into longer processing times, higher travel costs, and greater administrative hurdles for business and leisure travel. This can affect tourism flows, international trade opportunities, and global networking for citizens.
Experts note that a country’s passport strength is often tied to diplomatic relations, economic stability, and global trust. As nations negotiate bilateral agreements, stronger economies typically gain better mobility privileges. Sri Lanka’s modest performance on this front suggests a pressing need for diplomatic outreach to broaden its network of travel agreements.
In recent years, several countries in Asia have leveraged strategic partnerships to boost their passport rankings. The United Arab Emirates, for example, rose dramatically through targeted diplomatic engagement and tourism strategies. Similarly, nations like Singapore and South Korea have sustained their high positions through strong international relations and economic influence.
Sri Lanka has made some progress in expanding its global footprint, particularly in tourism and regional partnerships. However, experts argue that more aggressive strategies are needed to enhance visa-free agreements. Improving bilateral relations with key travel hubs, negotiating reciprocal travel privileges, and aligning immigration policies with global standards could significantly strengthen the country’s ranking in future editions of the Henley Passport Index.
The global travel landscape has also been shaped by post-pandemic recovery trends, shifting visa policies, and heightened security concerns. Many nations have tightened their entry requirements, prioritizing trusted travel partnerships. In this environment, building credibility and trust through diplomatic and economic measures is essential for countries like Sri Lanka to improve their passport power.
As the Henley Passport Index continues to influence international perceptions of mobility, a stronger ranking could also positively impact foreign investment, tourism, and business travel. With the 2025 index painting a challenging picture, the coming years will be critical for Sri Lanka to regain its lost ground.
For now, Sri Lankan travelers will need to navigate a more complex visa landscape, requiring careful planning and often higher expenses for international journeys. Whether through strategic diplomacy or internal policy shifts, improving the Sri Lanka passport’s position on the global stage will likely become a key priority for policymakers in the years ahead.