Sri Lanka approves visa-free travel for Indians: Explore other stunning visa-free destinations for Indian travellers

Do you wish to embark on an international holiday but don’t have a visa? Well don’t worry, here’s some good news.

Recently, Sri Lanka has announced a visa-free entry initiative for visitors from India and six other countries including China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand. This move opens up exciting possibilities for seamless travel between the two neighbouring countries. While this is a notable update, it’s worth exploring the wider landscape of visa-free travel options for Indian citizens worldwide.

The first thing that comes to mind when making plans to travel abroad is obtaining a visa. However, there are a few countries where Indian citizens do not require a visa and a few where they can obtain a visa on arrival. According to the Passport Index by Henley and Partners 2023, Indian passport holders can travel to 57 countries without a visa. Indian citizens can also visit the countries on the list below with an e-visa or entry authorisation. But which countries allow visa-free travel for Indian passport holders? The list is below, have a look!

Top Visa-Free Travel Destinations for Indian Passport Holders
Indian passport holders can travel to 57 countries without a visa. For your next International vacay here are the top 10 most exotic visa-free countries for Indian citizens who hold a valid passport.

1. Barbados
Known as the ‘Jewel of the Caribbean’, Barbados is renowned for having some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Rockley Beach is considered to be Barbados’ most stunning beach. This long stretch of sand is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the warm weather without the crowds. To secure a visa on arrival in Barbados, all you need to do is obtain prior confirmation.

2. Dominica
Dominica, a mountainous Caribbean island nation, enjoys warm, tropical weather. All you have to do is book your flights to Dominica from India to visit this stunning nation. Indian nationals visiting Dominica for business or pleasure for a period of six months are exempt from the visa requirement.

3. Haiti
The Dominican Republic shares borders with this Caribbean nation. Therefore, if you hold an Indian passport, you may enter the country and remain for up to 90 days without a visa.

4. Mauritius
Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is famous for its white sand beaches, stunning lagoons and coral reefs. Indian passport holders can stay in Mauritius for 90 days without a visa.

5. Nepal
Nepal, one of the most revered nations in the world, is known for its stunning farmlands, picturesque villages, vibrant cities and a number of mountaineering sites. Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Nepal; however, those from other countries require a visa that is valid for six months from the date of issue.

6. Maldives
The Maldives is a South Asian country that is one of the many island destinations where you can soak up the sun, enjoy balmy weather and spend quality time in luxury resorts. Indian passport holders do not require any form of visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days for the purpose of tourism.

7. Bhutan
Due to Bhutan’s proximity to India, entry into the country is not too difficult. Best of all, you don’t need a visa to enter Bhutan from India. All you need is a valid passport or other form of identification. If your visit to Bhutan is for seven days or less, you do not need a visa.

8. Hong Kong
Hong Kong, arguably one of the most famous regions in China, offers a blend of stunning natural and architectural features. Indian passport holders do not require an Indian visa to enter Hong Kong. An individual may enter Hong Kong without a visa for a maximum of 14 days.

9. Seychelles
An archipelago of 115 islands off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is an ideal location for eco-friendly travel. It is a visa-free country, but a permit must be obtained on arrival from the Seychelles Immigration Department. This permit is valid for 30 days.

10. Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is New Zealand’s beautiful island nation in the Pacific Ocean, with pleasant weather, stunning beaches and a welcoming and friendly culture. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. Although a visa is not required, the following requirements must be met: Possess a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure and has an empty page for visas.

Several other countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements for Indian visitors, such as Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar and many more. Although the visa is free, it is important to remember to check the instructions and requirements for your trip, including the duration of your visa-free stay, before purchasing your tickets. A traveller must be aware of certain regulations.