Visa-free and e-visa countries for Indian passport holders
Where Indian passport holders can travel with no visa, a visa on arrival or a quick e-visa, and which popular trips still need a full application.
Holiday planning often starts with a simple question: where can I go without a long visa process? For Indian passport holders the list is longer than many people think, and it has changed a lot in the last two years. Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have all eased entry, the UAE has widened its visa on arrival, and e-visas now cover most of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
This guide sorts the destinations our travellers choose most into four groups, from no paperwork at all to a full application with an appointment. It reflects the position at the time of writing (October 2026). Entry rules change often, sometimes with only a few weeks' notice, so we confirm the current rules for your dates before you book anything non-refundable.
No visa, a permit or a visa on arrival
| Destination | What Indian passport holders need |
|---|---|
| Nepal | No visa. Carry a passport or voter ID card. |
| Bhutan | No visa. A free entry permit, plus the Sustainable Development Fee of ₹1,200 per adult per night. |
| Maldives | Free 30-day visa on arrival with a confirmed resort or hotel booking and return ticket. |
| Thailand | Visa exemption for tourism stays of up to 30 days (reduced from 60 days in September 2026). Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly. |
| Malaysia | Visa-free for up to 30 days, currently until 31 December 2026. Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days of arrival. |
| Sri Lanka | A free 30-day tourist ETA, applied for online before travel. |
| Indonesia (Bali) | Visa on arrival, or the electronic visa on arrival bought online before you fly. |
| Kazakhstan | Visa-free for short stays. |
| Mauritius | Visa-free on arrival for holiday stays. |
"Visa-free" rarely means "no conditions". Immigration officers in Thailand and Malaysia can ask for a return ticket, hotel bookings and proof of funds. Thailand has reported asking for 20,000 baht per person, in cash or equivalent. We include the bookings in a printed travel pack so you have them to hand.
Quick e-visas and travel authorisations
These are applied for online, usually without visiting a visa centre, and are typically issued within three to seven working days.
| Destination | What you need |
|---|---|
| Vietnam | e-visa, single or multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days. The government fee is US$25 single entry or US$50 multiple entry. |
| Cambodia | e-visa |
| Kenya | Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for at least two weeks before travel. |
| Georgia | e-visa, or visa-free if you hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or residence permit. |
| Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan | e-visa |
| Oman (Salalah) | e-visa |
| Turkey | e-visa if you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen or Irish visa or residence permit; otherwise a sticker visa applied for in India. |
| UAE | A tourist visa arranged before travel (30 or 60 days), or a visa on arrival if you hold a qualifying visa or residence permit. See below. |
| Singapore | e-visa, filed through an authorised agent such as ourselves. |
Your US, UK or Schengen visa opens more doors
If you already hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa, or a residence permit from one of those countries, several destinations become simpler:
- UAE: visa on arrival for Indian nationals holding a visa, green card or residence permit from the US, UK, an EU country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea or Singapore.
- Georgia: visa-free entry for holders of certain valid visas and residence permits.
- Turkey: eligibility for the e-visa instead of a sticker visa.
The qualifying visa usually needs to be valid for at least six months, and some countries require it to have been used once. Tell us what is in your passport and we'll check.
A full visa application
Schengen countries, the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand all need a visa applied for before travel, normally with biometrics at a visa centre and, for the US, an interview. They take longer, but with a complete file the approval rates are good. As a rough guide to lead times:
| Destination | Start this far ahead |
|---|---|
| Schengen | 6 to 8 weeks; longer for April to June |
| UK | 6 weeks |
| Japan, South Korea | 4 weeks |
| Australia, New Zealand | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Canada | 3 to 6 months |
| US | As early as possible; interview waits vary by city |
See our guides to the Schengen visa, the Japan visa, the US visa interview and the Australia visitor visa.
Rules that apply everywhere
- Passport validity: most countries want at least six months' validity on arrival and two blank pages. If yours expires within a year, renew it before applying for anything. See passport services.
- Onward ticket: visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries can refuse boarding or entry without a return or onward ticket.
- Arrival cards: Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore now use digital arrival cards, completed online a few days before travel.
- Insurance: not always mandatory, but always worth it. Medical treatment abroad is expensive.
Easy-entry trips we recommend
- Thailand and Thailand with Malaysia for beaches, cities and family holidays.
- Maldives and Bali for honeymoons.
- Vietnam for value and variety; the e-visa takes a few days.
- Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, an hour or two from South India.
- Kazakhstan and Georgia for mountains and snow.
Tell us your travel month and who's travelling, and we'll suggest destinations with the simplest entry for your passport. Browse Asia holidays or ask your nearest office.
Questions, answered
Which countries can Indians visit without a visa in 2026?
Among popular holiday destinations: Nepal, Bhutan (with an entry permit), the Maldives (free visa on arrival), Thailand (30 days), Malaysia (30 days, currently until 31 December 2026), Mauritius and Kazakhstan for short stays. Sri Lanka needs a free online ETA. Rules change often, so confirm before booking.
Is Thailand still visa-free for Indians?
Yes. From September 2026 Indian tourists can stay up to 30 days without a visa, down from the earlier 60 days. Carry your return ticket, hotel bookings and proof of funds, and complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly.
Can I get a UAE visa on arrival with an Indian passport?
Only if you hold a valid visa, green card or residence permit from the US, UK, an EU country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea or Singapore. Otherwise arrange a 30 or 60-day tourist visa before travel; it usually takes a few working days.
How much passport validity do I need?
Six months from your arrival date is the safe rule, with at least two blank pages. Schengen asks for three months beyond your departure from Europe, but airlines and other countries often apply six months.
Do you apply for e-visas, or should I do it myself?
Either works. Many travellers prefer us to file it with their package, because we check the details match the bookings and handle any follow-up. If you apply yourself, use only the official government portal.
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