Henley Index: How Many Countries Can Indonesian Passport Holders Visit Visa-Free?

Sat, 25 Jul 2026, 12:54 WIB | By | Source: INDONESIA-INVESTMENTS.COM | Economy

24 July 2026 (closed)

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There are a number of reasons why having a “strong” passport is an important asset. A “strong” passport refers to how many countries the passport holder can enter without needing a visa in advance. According to global rankings such as the Henley Passport Index, top-tier passports grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 destinations, whereas weaker passports may cover fewer than 40.

A strong passport is built on a country’s diplomatic relationships, economic stability, low risk of illegal immigration, and strict biometric security standards. Foreign governments grant visa-free access to specific passport holders when they trust that visitors will abide by immigration laws and return home.

Examples of top-tier passports are Singapore, Japan, and a number of countries within the European Union (EU). Indonesia, however, sits in the lower-middle tier globally (while it rises to the mid-tier countries if we restrict the list to Southeast Asia). Out of 199 passports tracked by Henley, Indonesia ranks around 68th (granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 70 destinations).

Indonesia’s passport strength is pulled in two directions. On one hand, its active diplomacy and ASEAN membership guarantee strong regional access. Hence, most of the visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry privileges for Indonesian passport holders are located within Southeast Asia (ASEAN visa-free agreements). On the other hand, factors like historical economic disparities, immigration risk profiles evaluated by Western countries, and a legacy of asymmetrical visa reciprocity keep global access in the mid-range.

For Indonesians this is unfortunate as a strong passport is essentially a key to global mobility. Besides easier vacations, a powerful passport impacts personal freedom, financial opportunity, and security in several major ways.

For example, holders of a strong passport typically don’t need to spend weeks filling out detailed embassy applications, submitting bank statements, booking non-refundable flights, or attending interview appointments just to enter a country. They also typically don’t require special transit visas just to step off a plane during a layover in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, or Schengen (Euro) area.

This has also implications for business and investment. Executives, entrepreneurs, and consultants who own strong passports can fly to international meetings, industry conferences, or client sites on short notice without waiting months for business visas. Investors with strong citizenship face fewer diplomatic barriers when opening foreign bank accounts, buying overseas real estate, or launching international ventures.

Moreover, applying for visas is typically expensive and time-consuming. A family traveling on a weaker passport can easily spend hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of dollars per trip on consular application fees, courier and document translation services, proof-of-funds verification and travel insurance mandates. and lost wages from taking time off to attend embassy appointments.

And in times of geopolitical crisis, natural disaster, health emergencies, or economic instability, a strong passport acts as an immediate insurance policy. It allows holders to board a flight out of a dangerous area immediately without waiting for foreign governments to clear their entry.