Complete Guide to Visa Free, Visa on Arrival, and e-Visa Countries for Indian Passport Holders

After almost a year of travel restrictions from India in 2020, it is time to hit the road again. With so many countries to choose from, how do you decide where to go?

Well, often travelling to visa-free countries can make it easier on you and your wallet. Check out the visa-free or visa on arrival countries that Indians can travel to and start booking your next trip abroad.

🚨 Different countries’ response to COVID is evolving as new vaccines, and variants of the virus, emerge. If you are looking to travel, ensure that you are up to date with travel restrictions or updates.

📝 Table of contents
Visa-free travel for Indians Top tourist destinations How to plan your trip

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✅ List of visa free countries for Indian Passport holders

There are 3 types of easy overseas travel for Indian passport holders:

1. e-Visa countries
2. Visa-free countries
3. Visa-on-arrival countries

Let’s break down the countries for each.¹

Here is the list of countries that provide e-Visas to Indian passport holders:

Armenia	Azerbaijan	Bahrain	Barbados
Benin	Cambodia	Colombia	Cote d’Ivoire
Djibouti	Ethiopia	Georgia	Guinea
Kazakhstan	Kenya	Kyrgyzstan	Lesotho
Malaysia	Moldova	Myanmar	New Zealand
Papua New Guinea	Russian Federation	Saint Lucia	Saint Vincent & Grenadines
Singapore	South Korea	Sri Lanka	Suriname
Taiwan	Tajikistan	Tanzania	Thailand
Uganda	Uzbekistan	Vietnam	Zambia

For all these countries, you can go on their websites to apply for an e-Visa before you travel. You can complete the visa process online and often bring the confirmation with you on your mobile when you arrive.

The list gets slightly smaller for those countries that allow for Visa-on-arrival for Indian passport-holders, but is still extensive.

Angola	Bolivia	Cabo Verde	Cambodia
Cameroon	Cook Islands	Djibouti	Ethiopia
Fiji	Guinea Bissau	Indonesia	Iran
Jamaica	Jordan	Kenya	Kiribati
Laos	Madagascar	Mauritania	Mongolia
Myanmar	Nigeria	Niue Island	Qatar
Rwanda	Saint Kitts & Nevis	Saint Lucia	Samoa
Senegal	Seychelles	Somalia	Sri Lanka
Suriname	Tajikistan	Tanzania	Thailand
Tunisia	Vanuatu	Vietnam	Zimbabwe

| ⚠️ Certain countries listed above don’t require visas if you are travelling as a tourist and staying for less than 30 days | |
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Last but not least, here is the list of countries, where Indian passport holders don’t need a visa at all

Barbados	Bhutan	Dominica	Grenada
Haiti	Hong Kong	Maldives	Mauritius
Montserrat	Nepal	Niue Island	Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Samoa	Senegal	Serbia	Trinidad & Tobago

Visa Benefits for Indian Passport Holders with Other Visas or Residencies

Holding a valid visa or residency permit for certain countries can significantly expand your travel options as an Indian passport holder. Here are some key examples:

Indian Citizen with US Visa or Green Card:

• Visa-Free: Mexico, Canada (eTA required), Bermuda, Costa Rica (up to 30 days, if the US visa is valid for at least 3 months), Panama (up to 30 days, if the US visa has been used at least once to enter the US), Georgia (up to 90 days within any 180-day period), Philippines (up to 14 days, if entering from a third country), Singapore (up to 96 hours on Visa Free Transit Facility).
• Visa-on-Arrival: Bahamas, United Arab Emirates (14 days), Egypt.
• Simplified E-Visa: Several countries offer streamlined e-Visa processes for those with US visas.

Indian Citizen with Schengen Visa:

• Visa-Free: Many countries outside the Schengen Area offer visa-free access to Schengen visa holders, including: Albania, Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Gibraltar, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, San Marino, Vatican City.
• Visa-on-Arrival: Some countries offer VOA to Schengen visa holders, but it's less common than with a US visa.
• Simplified E-Visa: Similar to the US visa, some countries may have easier e-Visa procedures.

Indian Citizen with UK Visa:

• Visa-Free: Ireland, Gibraltar, Several Caribbean islands that are British Overseas Territories, Georgia (up to 90 days within any 180-day period), Singapore (up to 96 hours on Visa Free Transit Facility), Panama (up to 30 days, if the UK visa has been used at least once to enter the UK).
• Visa-on-Arrival: United Arab Emirates (14 days)
• Simplified E-Visa: Check individual country policies.

Indian Citizen with Canadian Visa:

• Visa-Free: Mexico, Bermuda, Costa Rica (up to 30 days, if the Canadian visa is valid for at least 3 months), Panama (up to 30 days, if the Canadian visa has been used at least once to enter Canada), Georgia (up to 90 days within any 180-day period), Philippines (up to 14 days, if entering from a third country), Singapore (up to 96 hours on Visa Free Transit Facility).
• Simplified E-Visa: Some countries may offer streamlined e-Visa processes for those with Canadian visas.

Indian Citizen with Australian or New Zealand Visa:

• Visa-Free: Similar to other developed countries, holding a visa from Australia or New Zealand may grant you visa-free access to a few other nations. Always verify specific country policies.
• Visa-on-Arrival or e-Visa: These visas can sometimes simplify the process for obtaining a visa-on-arrival or an e-Visa in certain countries.

Important Considerations About Using Another Country's Visa

Validity of Visa: Ensure that the visa you are using to gain entry to another country is valid for the required duration. Some countries have specific requirements for the remaining validity of the visa. Multiple-Entry Visa: In many cases, the visa you hold (US, Schengen, etc.) must be a multiple-entry visa to avail of visa exemptions in other countries. Prior Entry: Some countries require you to have entered the country that issued the visa at least once before using it for visa-free entry elsewhere. Official Sources: Always double-check the visa requirements on the official website of the embassy or consulate of the destination country, as policies can change.

🏖Top tourist destinations without visa for Indians

When it's time to hit the beach or explore a new city, these favorite tourist destinations for Indians can hit the mark- without needing a visa.

Maldives

A popular honeymoon destination before it became the world’s leading destination in 2020, the Maldives is as beautiful as you imagine. This archipelago in the Indian Ocean is surrounded by coral reefs and has its own language of Dhivehi and currency, the Maldivian Rufiyaa. You will require a negative COVID test and submit an online Health declaration form to enter.

Thailand

Thailand is a popular destination for tourists the world over for its mixture of hills, beach, city life and tropics. And let’s not forget, the draw of Thai food. Thailand Tourism Sector is officially going to open July 1, 2021, but travellers can still get to Thailand through a Special Tourist Visa and a mandatory 14 day quarantine. ³ ⁴

Indonesia

Indonesia, for many Indian travelers, means Bali and Jakarta. But there is a lot of other history, culture and natural beauty across the country and its islands. You will not need a visa if you are travelling for less than 30 days in Indonesia. However, tourist travel is currently on hold, and only verified business travellers can enter.⁵

Mauritius

Flying from India is an easy way to get to the beautiful island nation of Mauritius. Mauritius is off the southeast coast of Africa but is culturally diverse with a Hindu population. With white sandy beaches and stunningly blue water, it is perfect for a getaway. But at the moment you will require a COVID negative test and then pay for the 14 day hotel quarantine as required by the government. ⁶

Seychelles

Right off the east coast of the African continent, the Seychelles are a group of islands that are ideal for water sports, relaxing and outdoor adventures. Currently any and all travellers will have to show a negative COVID test results administered 72 hours before arriving. Vaccinated travellers will need to show proof of vaccination but non-vaccinated passengers will only be able to enter through a private jet transfer. ⁷

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What to consider when planning your trip

No matter where you go for your next holiday, there are a few points to keep in mind to have a stress-free trip. Check out these pointers before you plan your next trip. And as always, the more research you do and information you have beforehand, the smoother your holiday will be.

💸 Budget

Flights, stay, food and activities all should be factored into your overall budget for your trip. Flight costs are going to depend on how near or far you are going, which airlines and which type of seat you prefer. Skyscanner is a great way to find flights within your budget. Tripadvisor can also be a resource to see traveller reviews for places to stay, restaurants and excursions.

⛔ COVID restrictions

Each country has taken their own steps and measures to contain the Coronavirus internally and for visitors. While some countries continue to be sealed off from tourists, many countries are slowly opening up to tourists with a negative COVID results test and those with a vaccine.

For those that are open, double check online to see if the city or hotel you are staying has any restrictions themselves. Sometimes a hotel may be open but any nearby restaurants haven’t opened back up yet. It is suggested to walk through each step of your journey and get as much information as possible on availability of services.

🌤 Weather

There is nothing that can ruin a trip more than bad weather. So after you have chosen your destination, check online the best time to go. Or you can flip it and find the best place to go in a particular month. There will be plenty of resources online that will help you make the best choice for your time and destination.

Especially for tropical or beach destinations, do check when storm or hurricane season might be, as well as monsoon. You may be able to get a good deal if you travel during that time, but it also may mean you are stuck indoors the entire trip.

🏄 Activities

Some of your best memories from a trip are likely from the activities you take part in. Whether it's trekking, snorkeling, sailing, exploring a neighborhood or even just relaxing by a pool, activities can really make a big difference for your holiday.

Check out which activities are unique to the location you are travelling to. Or ways to take in local culture- even better if you can engage with activities that enrich and support the local communities. Travel websites like Fodors and Lonely Planet are great places to kick off your research, but also check out TripAdvisor or even Youtube to get in-depth information.

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• Multi-Currency Account: One account where you can hold and manage money in over 40+ currencies, including Indian Rupees, US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, and many more. This eliminates the need to constantly exchange money every time you travel to a different country.

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Conclusion

While the Indian passport may not be among the most powerful globally, it still provides a decent range of travel options through visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and e-Visa arrangements. For NRIs, understanding the specific requirements based on their residency status is essential. Furthermore, holding a valid visa or residency permit from countries like the US, UK, Canada, or a Schengen visa can unlock even more travel opportunities.

By carefully researching visa requirements, preparing the necessary documentation, and staying informed about travel advisories, Indian passport holders can enjoy seamless and enriching international travel experiences. Using tools like Wise can further enhance your travel experience by providing a cost-effective and convenient way to manage your finances across borders. Remember that visa policies are dynamic, so always verify the information from official sources before you embark on your journey. And if you are an NRI in a supported country, consider signing up for Wise card to simplify your international spending without worrying about hidden exchange rate markups on mid-market rates. Happy travels!

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Sources

1. Travel Visas for Indian Nationals
2. Maldives
3. Thailand Special Visa
4. Thailand Tourism Reopening
5. Entering in Indonesia-Bali
6. Travel to Mauritius
7. Travel to Seychelles

All sources checked as of 4 March, 2021