Visa free countries for Indians - Countries that Indians can Travel to without a Visa

A visit visa application process can be time-consuming, requiring visits to the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the Embassy/Consulate. Moreover, there is no guarantee that your visit visa will be granted by the government concerned. 

Visa-free means the ability to travel to a foreign country without the requirement of a travel visa. For this, only a valid passport is required for entry and exit purposes. Or we can say that a "free visa for Indians" is a type of facility offered to the citizens of India traveling to countries that do not require any kind of visa for Indian passport holders. That is, a person does not require a visa to enter the borders or territories of any visa-free countries for Indians. On the other hand, countries that offer visa-on-arrival or an e-visa to Indians require a visa before he or she arrives at the port of entry.  Check below some of the visa-free countries for Indian passport holders.

No prior visa (that is, before traveling) or visa on arrival is required by Indians to visit these countries as tourists.

Having visa-free access not only makes your travel cheaper but also much easier. You save a whole lot of time by not having to run to travel agents or queue up at Embassies and Consulates.

The most popular travel destinations among Indians are in Asia itself. Popular destinations like Thailand, Maldives, Nepal, Indonesia, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka either provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry.

Other FAQs

1. What are the different visa types?

A permanent visa is issued when an individual decides to settle abroad, taking up permanent residency in that country. 

A temporary visa is issued for a short stay in another country, such as for the purposes of - 

• visiting friends/family, 
• tourism, 
• study abroad, or 
• work overseas as a skilled worker. 

2. What is an e-visa?

An electronic visa commonly referred to as an e-visa, is an official document provided online for entering the country for a particular purpose. You can easily apply for an e-visa online and on your own. There is no requirement for visiting any Visa Application Center (VAC), Embassy, or Consulate.

3. Why do countries give e-visas?

Many countries across the world have introduced an e-visa service for facilitating tourism to their country. With the e-visa facility, you can easily apply online and get your travel authorization in your email.

4. How to get an e-visa?

Fill up the e-visa form online, entering the required details (personal and travel-related). Then, you will have to upload your recent passport photo, along with the needed supporting documents. 

The entire process takes a short time, provided you have the required documents ready with you.

5. What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?

Digitally linked to the traveler’s passport, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to a country by air. An eTA enables an individual to travel multiple times to a country within a specific predetermined period. 

6. Where can I apply for eTA?

An eTA might be applied online or issued at the port of entry in some countries.

7. What is an Entry Permit?

An entry permit, at times issued in place of a visa, is an official document authorizing an individual to enter the country, allowing them to legally remain within the country for a certain period of time. For example, the UAE offers entry permits to foreigners for entering and staying in the UAE for a short period. Later, a UAE Residence Visa is issued to the foreign national already within the country, having entered using the UAE entry permit.

8. What is Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR)?

Quite similar to an eTA, PAR is a travel authorization that might be done through a simple pre-registration process over the internet. The rules and requirements vary. For example, Hong Kong offers Pre-Arrival Registration. 

9. What are the general requirements for a tourist visa?

• Passport, with at least - (1) one blank page left, and (2) a validity of six months remaining beyond the date of arrival, 
• Evidence of arrangements having been duly made for accommodation for the entire duration of the stay,
• Tickets, for the return journey to the home country, or for the onward journey to another destination,
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay, and
• Any other document justifying the grant of the visa.

10. How many countries can Indian travel to without a visa in 2022?

As per the 2022 Henley Passport Index, there are 59 countries in the world that Indian passport holders can travel to without a visa.