Nearly half of the countries worldwide have simplified the visa process for Indian tourists. For Indian passport holders, traveling to these countries has become much easier.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 16 countries now offer visa-free entry, 40 countries provide visa on arrival, and 47 countries offer e-visas.
The Ministry is actively working to encourage more countries to make travel easier for Indians.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that visa facilities depend on each country’s policies and its relationship with India.
As India’s relations with other countries improve, the number of countries offering easier visa processes is also increasing.
According to sources in the Ministry, discussions are ongoing with many countries, and more may join the list by the end of this year.
Visa free travel to these countries
The main countries offering visa facilities include Thailand, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Maldives, and Mauritius. Many countries provide both e-visa and visa on arrival options.
Countries offering e-visas include Vietnam, Russia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Argentina, Bahrain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Countries providing visa on arrival include Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Nigeria, Qatar, Zimbabwe, and Tunisia. Several countries offer both e-visa and visa on arrival options.
The visa-free, visa on arrival, and e-visa options offered by these countries generally apply only to tourist visas. These permits allow stays ranging from 15 days up to a maximum of three months.
Time is saved
The benefit of an easier visa process is that it saves time compared to obtaining a regular visa from an embassy.
E-visas and visas on arrival simplify the process; you only need to upload or present the required documents to receive the visa immediately.
India also offers e-visas, visa on arrival, and visa-free entry to many countries. Currently, India provides e-visas to around 170 countries and visa on arrival to several countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the UAE.
Ranked 82nd in passport rank
As more countries offer visa-free or easy visa entry to Indian passport holders, the strength of the Indian passport increases.
In the Global Passport Ranking 2024, India is ranked 82nd, up from 84th last year, showing steady improvement.
