Indian passport ‘second cheapest’ in the world, next only to UAE’s; offers visa-free access to 62 countries: Study

A recent study has revealed that the Indian passport ranks as the second cheapest passport to obtain worldwide. It holds the distinction of being the most cost-effective in terms of "cost per year" of validity.

Notably, an Indian passport holder can travel to 62 nations visa-free.

The UAE passport clinches the top spot as the most affordable passport globally, surpassing all others in terms of both acquisition cost and the number of countries offering visa-free access.

In its study, Australian firm Compare the Market AU conducted comparison of passport acquisition costs across various countries. It evaluated their cost-effectiveness per year of validity and their value based on the number of nations offering visa-free access.

According to a press statement from the Australian firm, the Indian passport incurs a cost of $18.07 for a validity period of 10 years, whereas the UAE passport requires a fee of $17.70 for a 5-year validity period.

While the Indian passport boasts a lower cost, its visa-free access is comparatively limited. This stands in contrast to countries like Australia, the USA, and Canada, where passports come at a higher expense but offer greater passport power with broader visa-free access.

The travel insurance comparison experts compiled a list of passport fees, evaluating them based on price, validity period, and passport power. Their findings revealed that while some nations offer significant passport power, it often comes with a higher price tag.

Indian passport 'cheapest' in terms of cost of year

When considering the cost per year of validity, India emerged as the most economical passport option, with a mere $1.81 expenditure per year. Following closely behind are South Africa and Kenya, with charges of $3.05 and $3.09 respectively.

Is the United States' passport the most expensive in the world?

No, the United States' passport is not the most expensive passport in the world. According to the study, Mexico has the most expensive passport in the world followed by Australia.

A Mexican passport, according to the study, costs $231.05 for 10 years, while the Australian passport costs $225.78.