India vs South Korea passport: which is stronger?
The South Korea passport is stronger by 145 destinations. Here is the full side-by-side: visa-free, visa on arrival, eTA, e-visa and visa-required counts, mobility scores and what the gap means on a real trip.
KROSZ PASSPORT INDEX · UPDATED 17 OCT 2026Side by side
| Measure | India | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Rank (of 108) | #86 | #3 |
| No advance visa | 56 | 201 |
| Visa-free | 29 | 146 |
| Visa on arrival | 23 | 34 |
| eTA | 4 | 21 |
| e-Visa | 50 | 22 |
| Visa required | 143 | 26 |
| No admission | 1 | 1 |
| Mobility score /1000 | 440 | 760 |
| Continents reached (diversity) | 5 | 6 |
Access by entry type
Where the difference comes from
The biggest gap is in visa-free destinations: South Korea has 117 more than India.
Worked example: pick 20 destinations at random. An Indian passport holder would need an advance visa (e-visa or embassy) for about 15 of them; a South Korea passport holder for about 4.
Mobility score breakdown
Green: India (440/1000). Gold: South Korea (760/1000).
How many destinations the passport opens and how easily (visa-free counts most, then visa on arrival, eTA and e-visa).
How widely that access is spread across continents.
How many of the reachable destinations are large travel and business economies.
Whether access has been improving or narrowing recently.
How open the passport country is to visitors in return.
Indian passport
South Korea passport
Where Indians can go without a visa
Visa-free destinations for ordinary Indian passport holders.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Indian passport stronger than the South Korea passport?
No. The South Korea passport (#3) reaches 201 destinations without an advance visa, 145 more than the Indian passport (#86, 56).
Which passport has more visa-free destinations?
India: 29 fully visa-free. South Korea: 146. Counting visa on arrival and eTA as well: India 56, South Korea 201.
Which has the higher mobility score?
India scores 440/1000 and South Korea scores 760/1000. The score combines access, diversity, economic reach, trend and reciprocity.
How many destinations need an advance visa?
India: 143 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre and 50 take an online e-visa. South Korea: 26 and 22.
How is this comparison calculated?
Both passports are measured on the same Krosz dataset of 199 passports, updated 17 Oct 2026. Ranks are by destinations reachable without an advance visa; ties share a rank.
More passport comparisons
2026 comparison · data updated 17 Oct 2026