Our WhatsApp number cannot be used for calls. This is a chat only number.
When planning an international trip, the first thought that crosses our mind is applying for a visa. Cue spending hours online, looking through the intricate visa application processes for the country you want to visit.
Although, did you know that several countries do not require a visa for Indians and a few others where you can avail of a visa-on-arrival?
Yes, that’s right!
According to the Passport Index by Henley and Partners, as of March 2023, Indian passport holders can travel visa-free or avail of visa-on-arrival to many countries. Indians can also travel with an e-visa/entry permit to the list of countries as mentioned below. Currently, the Indian passport is ranked 84th in terms of the freedom to travel.
But to which countries can Indian passport holders travel visa-free? Take a look at the list below!
| 1. Albania | 14. Mauritius |
| 2. Barbados | 15. Micronesia |
| 3. Bhutan | 16. Montserrat |
| 4. British Virgin Islands | 17. Nepal |
| 5. Cook Islands | 18. Niue |
| 6. Dominica | 19. Oman |
| 7. El Salvador | 20. Qatar |
| 8. Fiji | 21. Senegal |
| 9. Grenada | 22. Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| 10. Haiti | 23. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| 11. Jamaica | 24. Trinidad and Tobago |
| 12. Kazakhstan | 25. Tunisia |
| 13. Macao (SAR China) | 26. Vanuatu |
Usually, to obtain a visa-on-arrival, the immigration officials examine the visitor’s passport, their biometrics, collect the stipulated payments and subsequently issue the visa permit. The on-arrival visa is issued at major points of entry to the country, so remember where the visa will be issued when you arrive there.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facility became operational for Indians in 2014, with a revised list of eligible countries in 2015. In the list below, we’ve mentioned the countries providing visa-on-arrival and e-Visa for Indian citizens in 2023:
| 27. Bolivia | 44. Mozambique |
| 28. Botswana | 45. Myanmar |
| 29. Burundi | 46. Palau Islands |
| 30. Cambodia | 47. Rwanda |
| 31. Cape Verde Islands | 48. Samoa |
| 32. Comoro Islands | 49. Seychelles |
| 33. Ethiopia | 50. Sierra Leone |
| 34. Gabon | 51. Somalia |
| 35. Guinea-Bissau | 52. Sri Lanka |
| 36. Indonesia | 53. Saint Lucia |
| 37. Iran | 54. Tanzania |
| 38. Jordan | 55. Thailand |
| 39. Laos | 56. Timor-Leste |
| 40. Madagascar | 57. Togo |
| 41. Maldives | 58. Tuvalu |
| 42. Marshall Islands | 59. Uganda |
| 43. Mauritania | 60. Zimbabwe |
| 61. Angola | 74. Malaysia |
| 62. Antigua and Barbuda | 75. Moldova |
| 63. Australia | 76. Morocco |
| 64. Azerbaijan | 77. Russia |
| 65. Bahrain | 78. São Tomé and Príncipe |
| 66. Benin | 79. Singapore |
| 67. Colombia | 80. Suriname |
| 68. Djibouti | 81. Taiwan |
| 69. Georgia | 82. Tajikistan |
| 70. Kenya | 83. Türkiye |
| 71. Kuwait | 84. Uzbekistan |
| 72. Kyrgyzstan | 85. Vietnam |
| 73. Lesotho | 86. Zambia |
They are documents issued by a government granting permission to foreigners looking to visit the respective country. Unlike passports that act as proof of your country of origin, visas are markers that state the period for which you will be allowed to remain in the foreign country.
Now, various countries have put forth different types of regulations regarding their visa process. A table illustrates the following:
|
Type of Visa |
What Does it Imply? |
|
Visa-free |
Visa-free travel is the benefit where you can visit a country without having to obtain a visa. This is applicable if the two countries in question have an agreement for the same, or if the country one is visiting has unilaterally opened its borders to foreign nationals. |
|
Visa-on-Arrival |
Also known as an on-arrival visa, these are granted to a visitor at the port of entry. The entire process of issuing the visa is initiated and completed at the port of entry by government authorities. |
|
e-Visa |
E-Visas are, in essence, official documents issued online by a country’s immigration official that grants visitors permission to enter it. These are an alternative to the regular paper-based visas that a country’s embassy issues. |
|
Entry Permit |
Countries issue entry permits to their visitors instead of visas. These entry permits are documents that allow foreigners to enter and stay in the country legally for a certain period. |
Yes! Travel insurance is mandatory in these 34 countries worldwide for tourists. A primary reason is the high cost of healthcare in foreign countries. Apart from that, you want to ensure that your finances are protected from unforeseen situations that can arise during your travels, don’t you?
There are several benefits of travel insurance policies that you can avail. Some of them are:
Coverage for Medical Emergencies - During your trip, there can be situations where you might require emergency medical assistance – either accidental or illness related. Travel insurance policy will cover your hospital bills and treatment costs during such cases.
Trip Cancellation or Flight Delays - A flight delay, missed connection or all-over trip cancellation are some instances covered under a travel insurance policy.
Delay/Loss of Baggage - You can’t wait to begin your vacation, but your checked-in baggage got delayed! During these situations, your travel insurance policy can provide monetary compensation for the delay or loss of your baggage.
Protection Against Loss of Wallet - Loss or theft of your wallet is one of the most pressing problems arising during your travels abroad. Your travel insurance policy provides financial emergency cash to avoid being stranded in such situations.
Cover for Extended or Abandoned Trip - In the event of strikes, riots, natural disasters and other dangerous events, the duration of your trip can get hampered. Situations like this strike like lightning, causing you to abandon or extend your stay. Don’t worry about the expenses because your travel insurance covers for a cancelled or extended trip.
Bounced Bookings - Have you ever finalised all your accommodation and event bookings only to reach there and find out that the hotel is overbooked and your booking has bounced? In such frustrating situations, travel insurance with bounced bookings cover can save the day!
So, if you want to make your trip safer and ensure financial protection, it is best to purchase a travel insurance plan at the very onset! There are many plans available in the market, so before making your payment, you should compare travel insurance plans to get the best benefits at an affordable cost.
Please try one more time!
Disclaimer -
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions mentioned in your policy schedule and policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.
The information mentioned here about the countries, visa fees and others is taken from different sources. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the same before you book your tickets, apply for a visa, buy a travel policy or make any other decision.
