Visa-free countries for Indian passport holders
By Ganesh ·
Where Indians can travel without a visa in advance. Visa-free countries, visa on arrival, easy e-visas and eTAs, recent changes, and the extra countries a US/UK/Schengen visa opens.
The short answer: Indian passport holders can visit a few dozen countries without arranging a visa in advance. Some are visa-free (Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius and several Caribbean and Pacific islands), some give a visa on arrival (Maldives, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and others), and many more offer a quick online e-visa or eTA (Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kenya and others). Rules change often, so treat every list (including this one) as a starting point, and confirm on the destination's official site or with the Ministry of External Affairs (mea.gov.in) before you book.
Visa policies change at short notice, sometimes for one nationality only. Before you travel, check the destination government's official page and your airline's entry rules. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Visa-free for tourism (no visa needed in advance)
| Country | Typical stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | No limit set for Indians | Carry a passport or Voter ID; no visa |
| Bhutan | Permit on arrival | Entry permit and Sustainable Development Fee rules apply to Indians. Check Bhutan's official tourism site |
| Thailand | Up to 60 days | Fill the TDAC online before arrival |
| Malaysia | Up to 30 days | Visa-free scheme for Indians, extended several times; fill the MDAC before arrival |
| Mauritius | Up to 90 days | Return ticket and accommodation needed |
| Philippines | Up to 14 days | Visa-free entry for Indian tourists introduced in 2025; check conditions |
| Kazakhstan | Up to 14 days | Check the current limit |
| Fiji | Up to 4 months | On arrival as a visitor |
| Caribbean: Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago | Varies | Mostly reached via the US or UK, which need their own visas for transit |
Visa on arrival
- Maldives: free 30-day visa on arrival with a hotel booking and return ticket; fill the official online arrival declaration.
- Indonesia (Bali): paid visa on arrival, or an e-VOA online before you fly; Bali also charges a tourist levy.
- Cambodia and Laos: visa on arrival or e-visa.
- Jordan: visa on arrival for many travellers, or a Jordan Pass that includes it. Check conditions.
- Seychelles: free visitor's permit on arrival, with a mandatory online travel authorisation before you fly.
Easy online visas and eTAs
- Sri Lanka: apply for the ETA at eta.gov.lk (Sri Lanka has offered Indians free tourist visas under a scheme, check the current fee).
- Vietnam: e-visa up to 90 days.
- Georgia and Azerbaijan: official e-visas, usually quick.
- Kenya: eTA (Kenya replaced visas with an electronic travel authorisation in 2024).
- Egypt, Russia, Uzbekistan: e-visas.
- Turkey: e-visa only if you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen or Irish visa or residence permit; otherwise a regular visa.
Recently changed: check before you go
- Iran had allowed short visa-free visits for Indians, but suspended the waiver in late 2025 after reports of Indians being lured there on false job offers. Check the MEA's advisory.
- Malaysia's visa-free scheme for Indians has been extended in steps; confirm it covers your dates.
- Thailand has discussed shortening visa-free stays.
A valid US, UK or Schengen visa opens more doors
If you already hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa (or a residence permit there), several more countries let you in visa-free or on arrival: for example the UAE (visa on arrival), Georgia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Mexico (with conditions) and some Central American countries. Each has its own conditions, so check before you plan around it.
Tips
- "Visa-free" doesn't mean "no paperwork": almost every country wants a return ticket, a hotel booking and enough money for the stay, and many now have online arrival cards.
- Check transit countries too: a cheap fare via a country that needs a transit visa can strand you.
- Keep copies: forward bookings to your Sancharees trip so tickets and hotel confirmations are available offline at immigration.
FAQ
How many countries are visa-free for Indians?
Counts vary by source and change often, because they mix visa-free, visa-on-arrival and eTA countries. Use a country-by-country check rather than a single number.
Which is the cheapest visa-free country to visit from India?
Nepal and Bhutan by road or a short flight; Thailand and Malaysia for an overseas trip. Flights from India are frequent and often cheap outside peak season.
Is Dubai visa-free for Indians?
No, unless you hold a qualifying US, UK or EU visa or residence permit for visa on arrival. Others need a UAE visa in advance.
Is Sri Lanka visa-free for Indians?
You still need to apply for an ETA online before travel, even when the visa itself is free.
Photo: Brazil, Iceland, UK, US passport stamps by Jon Evans, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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