The very first thought that comes to mind when planning an international journey is applying for a visa. We spend hours on the internet researching the complicated visa application processes for the nation we want to visit. However, did you know that Indians are not required to obtain a visa in several countries? And there are a few more places where you can get a visa on arrival? Yes, you read that correctly. There are visa free countries for Indians.
According to the Henley Passport Index (a global rating of countries based on their citizens’ freedom of travel), the Indian passport is ranked 84th in terms of travel freedom. In addition, India is ranked 60th in the Global Passport Power Rank, with visa-free admission to 20 countries and visa-on-arrival to 41 countries.
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What is a visa?
Visas are documents that countries issue to foreigners who wish to visit their country.
These may only be good for one round trip, although they can sometimes be extended. Some visas require applicants to submit medical test results or attend the embassy for an interview about the purpose of their visit. And some can be visa free countries for Indians.
Unlike a passport, which identifies your country of origin, a visa only indicates how long you will be permitted to stay in your destination. So, while a passport can be obtained without a visa, a visa cannot be obtained without a passport.
Tourist visas, business visas, and in-transit visas are the most popular types of visas, which allow travelers to travel through a country on their way to their final destination.
What is visa free?
The ability to visit a nation without having to go through long visa processes is known as visa-free travel. If the governments of the two nations have signed an agreement to that effect, or if the receiving country has unilaterally opened its borders, nationals of one country can travel visa-free to another.
You will be able to travel visa-free to several countries throughout the world, depending on the country where you were granted citizenship. And there are many visa free countries for Indians.
How to travel to visa free countries for Indians?
If a country has a “visa-free” status, you can just travel there with an Indian passport and be allowed to pass through. Even if you do not require a visa, you should still research the entry criteria of the country you are going to.
Also, make sure you don’t stay longer than your visa-free period allows. If you’re only allowed to stay for three months, go before your time is up. If you overstay, you may have difficulty returning there in the future. Moreover, you are not permitted to work or attend school in the country you are visiting during your visa-free stay.
List of visa free countries for Indians:
- Bhutan
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Nepal
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa (Requires permit on arrival)
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka (Requires special permit)
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vanuatu
- Antarctica
- FYRO Macedonia
- Svalbard
- Montserrat
Visa, Free v/s Visa on Arrival v/s Visa, Required- What’s the Difference?
- The capacity to travel to a foreign country without requiring a travel visa is referred to as visa-free travel. Only a valid passport is necessary for admission and leaves in this situation.
- Visa on arrival means that travelers will need to obtain a visa to enter the destination country, but they will be able to do so after they arrive. Visitors are not required to apply for a visa ahead of time.
- The term “visa required” refers to the requirement for travelers to apply for a visa to the country before traveling there.
Summing up
Traveling to new places is exciting. It’s partly inherent, as seeing new sights, hearing a foreign language, and meeting new people don’t require persuasion. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, 55 countries offer visa-on-arrival to Indians, and 32 countries do not require a visa. Barbados, Bhutan, Brazil, Cuba, Hong Kong, the Maldives, and Serbia are among the countries that do not require a visa.
Visa requirements for Indian citizens are administrative entrance restrictions imposed on the people of India by the governments of other countries. Indian citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 61 countries and territories as of January 1, 2021.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Passport_Index
https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking
https://www.mea.gov.in/visa-facility-for-india-nationals-menu.htm
