Planning an international holiday has become easier for Indian travellers, with 56 destinations allowing entry without going through the traditional embassy visa process.
According to the latest Henley Passport Index (July 2026), India has slipped two places to 80th in the global passport rankings. Despite the decline, Indian passport holders continue to enjoy relatively easy access to 56 countries through visa-free entry, visa on arrival (VOA) or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Of these, 27 countries offer visa-free entry, 26 provide visa on arrival, while three require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. Visa-free travel means visitors do not need to apply for a visa in advance, although immigration officials may still ask for a valid passport, return tickets, hotel bookings and proof of sufficient funds. A visa on arrival is issued after reaching the destination and may involve submitting documents, filling out forms and paying a fee. An ETA, meanwhile, is an online travel approval that must be obtained before boarding a flight.
The 27 visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders are Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.
Another 26 countries allow Indians to obtain a visa on arrival. These include Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Palau, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe. Entry requirements differ from one country to another, with some asking for hotel reservations, return tickets, travel insurance or proof of adequate funds.
Indian travellers can also visit Kenya, Seychelles and St. Kitts and Nevis by securing an Electronic Travel Authorisation online before departure. Although the process is simpler than applying for a regular visa, airlines may deny boarding if the ETA has not been approved.
Travellers should remember that visa-free or visa-on-arrival access does not guarantee entry into a country. Immigration authorities can still request documents such as a passport with sufficient validity, confirmed return or onward tickets, hotel reservations, proof of funds, travel or health insurance, vaccination certificates where applicable and documents explaining the purpose of the visit. Those travelling through a third country should also check whether a transit visa is required.
Visa policies are subject to change due to diplomatic decisions, security concerns or public health measures. Therefore, travellers are advised to verify the latest entry requirements with the official immigration authorities of their destination before making travel plans.
Although India has slipped to the 80th position in the latest Henley Passport Index, the ability to travel to 56 destinations through simplified entry procedures continues to offer Indian travellers a wide range of convenient options for international holidays and business trips.
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