When planning an international trip or holiday, you must first have a valid passport for your country. It should be valid for at least 6 months. The 2nd basic requirement is a visa for the country you are planning to travel to.
Getting a respective visa requires a lot of paperwork and takes time, from application submission to receipt. Sometimes it gets highly tiresome and exhaustive.
You do not need to worry about it, as there are a few visa-free countries for Indians. In the Henley Passport Index, India ranks 83rd. Its citizens, like you, can access or travel to 57 countries without a visa. It is good news.
What Does Visa-Free Travel Mean for Indians?
Visa-free travel is a crucial key for Indian travellers like you. It allows you to plan your overseas travel spontaneously, enjoy your trip/holiday without stress, and save money.
The value of the Indian passport rose to the 83rd position in the Henley Passport Index. As a result, Indian citizens can travel to 57 countries without a visa. According to the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, 16 countries are fully visa-free for Indians, 25 offer an e-visa facility, 26 offer a visa-on-arrival facility, and 11 offer both facilities – e-visa and visa on arrival.
Travel to visa-free countries for Indians is a financial win. Usually, getting a traditional visa costs INR 2,000 to 15,000 for an Indian traveller and requires an embassy visit. No visa requirement means you do not need to pay this amount or visit any embassy. It means you have more money with you for your international trip.
Further, it allows you to book an international flight ticket without months of planning. You have no worries about application rejections, whether you want to travel solo, with your family, or with your friends. As a solo traveller, you have the freedom to get last-minute flight tickets and adventures.
Visa-Free European Countries for Indians
As an Indian traveller, you love to travel to a country of your choice. When you plan to travel to Europe, you will want to know which countries you can visit without a visa.
Here is a list of the top visa-free European countries for Indians with a brief description:
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Albania
This European country offers a 90-day visa-free travel to Indian citizens. Albania is highly acknowledged for its mountainous landscapes and clear beaches. It is a perfect destination for beach enthusiasts and nature lovers. Its prime attractions are:
- Tirana
- Dhermi Beach
- Llogara Pass
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Serbia
Serbia offers a mixed experience of nature and history. Its vibrant city life attracts travellers who love exploring both adventure and culture. This European country allows Indians to visit for 30 days without a visa. During your trip to Serbia, you can explore:
- Novi Sad
- Belgrade
- Tara National Park
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Montenegro
Situated along the Adriatic coast, Montenegro draws travellers from all over the world, including Indians, for its stunning landscapes. Without a respective visa, you can access this European country for 90 days. During the trip, you can enjoy visiting:
- Lovcen National Park
- Bay of Kotor
- Budva
Other European countries you can visit without a visa include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Georgia, and North Macedonia. Some European countries may offer a visa-on-arrival (VoA) to Indian passport holders. The list of such countries changes each year. You need to verify it before planning your trip or booking a respective international flight ticket.
Visa-Free Asian Countries for Indian Citizens
Compared with other countries, Asian countries are more welcoming to Indians. You can easily access these countries without a visa. Here is a list of visa-free countries for Indian citizens:
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Malaysia
As an Indian traveller, you can enter Malaysia and stay for 30 days without a visa. In your Malaysia tour, you can enjoy visiting and exploring:
- Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Towers
- Langkawi’s duty-free shopping
- Penang’s culinary delights
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Nepal
Nepal is the first choice for Indians when it comes to travelling to an Asian country without a visa. Apart from air, Nepal is easily accessible by road, particularly in areas bordering both countries, India and Nepal.
Under the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Indians and Nepalis can stay indefinitely. The purpose could be study, work, travel, or live. While visiting this small country, you can explore:
- Mount Everest and Annpurna in the Himalayas
- Durbar Squares
- Lumbini
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Chitwan National Park
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Thailand
Thailand offers visa-free entry for Indians for 60 days. Due to its vibrant street food culture, beaches, and affordable luxury, it attracts Indians year-round. In your Thailand tour, you can explore:
- Phuket and Pattaya beaches
- Bangkok’s busy markets
- Ayutthaya & Sukhothai
- Bangkok’s Grand Palace
- Northern Chiang Mai’s mountains & elephants
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Indonesia
You, as an Indian passport holder, can enter and stay in Indonesia for 30 days without a visa. Due to its hassle-free entry policy, you can access this country spontaneously. In your Indonesian holiday trip, you can enjoy:
- Jakarta’s urban energy
- Bali’s spiritual retreats
- Komodo Islands’ natural wonders
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Bhutan
Bhutan allows Indians to enter and stay for an unlimited time without a visa. Its Buddhist festivals, pristine nature, and sustainable tourism attract Indians and foreigners. In your tour to Bhutan, you can witness:
- Buddhist monasteries like Paro Taktsang
- Punakha Dzong
- Dochula Pass
- Buddha Dordenma Statue
- Phobjikha Valley
Cheapest Visa-Free Countries for Indians
As a traveller, you love to have a budget-friendly holiday, whether it is inbound or outbound. For a foreign trip, you usually love to visit a country that costs you less. Here is a list of the cheapest visa-free countries:
- Nepal
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Bhutan
- Sri Lanka
Countries with Free Visa for Indians
Here is a complete list of visa-free countries for Indians with their region and allowed stay duration:
| Country | Visa-Free Stay Duration | Region |
| Nepal | Unlimited | South Asia |
| Albania | 90 Days | Europe |
| Malaysia | 30 Days | Southeast Asia |
| Indonesia | 30 Days | Southeast Asia |
| Thailand | 60 Days | Southeast Asia |
| Mauritius | 90 Days | Africa |
| Dominica | 180 Days | Caribbean |
| Barbados | 90 Days | Caribbean |
| Qatar | 30 Days | Middle East |
| Bhutan | Unlimited | South Asia |
| Fiji | 120 Days | Oceania |
| Kazakhstan | 14 Days | Central Asia |
| Rwanda | 30 Days | Africa |
| Namibia | 90 Days | Africa |
| Senegal | 90 Days | Africa |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 90 Days | Caribbean |
| Micronesia | 90 Days | Oceania |
| Bolivia | 90 Days | South America |
Others on the list of 57 visa-free countries for Indians are not entirely visa-free. They offer e-visa, visa on arrival (VoA), or e-visa and VoA facilities to Indian travellers. In addition, countries such as the UK, France, Russia, and the USA require their own visas. Without it, you cannot enter or stay in these countries.
Conclusion
From Nepal to Bhutan, Albania, and Fiji, you can access around 57 countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Only 16 countries, such as Nepal and Thailand, are completely visa-free countries for Indians in 2025-26. Others allow Indians to enter with e-visas or visa-on-arrival facilities.
Before you plan your international trip, get in touch with us at Cholan Tours. You can browse the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs. It will help find out which countries you can visit without a visa, with an e-visa, or with a VoA facility. Contact us by phone, email, or chat.
FAQs
Which countries offer visa-free travel for Indians?
Based on the Ministry of External Affairs’ official website data, only 16 countries offer total visa-free access to Indians. The official website of the Henley Passport Index states that Indian passport holders can access 57 countries with visa-free, e-visas, VoA, or both e-visa and VoA facilities.
What are the most popular visa-free countries for Indian citizens?
Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Qatar are the top visa-free countries for Indian citizens. They offer a 30-day to an unlimited visa-free stay for Indians.
What documents do I need to travel to visa-free countries as an Indian?
To travel to visa-free countries for Indians in 2025-26, you must have:
- An Indian passport with a validity of 6 months
- Confirm onward flight or return tickets
- Proof of accommodation (hotel, resorts, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Sufficient bank balance, cash, or credit cards
How long can Indians stay in visa-free countries?
Visa-free stay duration varies from one country to another. Countries like Nepal and Bhutan offer unlimited stay for Indians, while countries like Mauritius and Thailand offer visa-free entry for 30 to 120 or even 180 days.
Which European countries are visa-free for Indian citizens?
Albania, Serbia, Georgia, and Armenia are the European countries that occasionally offer visa-free entry to Indians. They offer e-visa or VoA facilities. Confirm yourself or consult a tour operator before you plan your European trip, particularly when you do not have a visa.
What is the difference between visa-free, VoA, and e-visa facilities?
Visa-free means no paperwork or no fee. You can enter a visa-free country just with your Indian passport.
VoA – VoA stands for visa on arrival. It allows you to complete the airport process quickly and helps you obtain the appropriate visa upon arrival in the country by paying a fee. The fee could range from INR 2,000 to INR 15,000.
An e-visa is an electronic visa you can apply for online. It allows you to get an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) via email. After receiving it, you can print it and present it to the authorities upon arrival in that country.
