As of 2024, Indian citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 58 countries and territories, ranking the Indian passport 83rd in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1]
As the index uses dense ranking, in certain cases, a rank is shared by multiple countries because these countries all have the same level of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
With visa-free entry to 26 countries, visa on arrival facility to 44 countries and ETA to 3 countries, India is 73 out of 101 in Global Passport Power Rank.[2]
Recent changes
Year
Changes
2024
The UAE has implemented a visa-on-arrival option for Indian citizens holding a valid US, UK, or EU visit or residence visa, or a USA Green Card. This allows for a stay of up to 14 days, with the option to extend for an additional 14 days. Additionally, travelers can opt for a 60-day, non-extendable visa-on-arrival after paying the required fees as per UAE regulations.
Sri Lanka have announced visa-free travel for Indian citizens from October 2024.[3]
Kenya and Iran have announced visa-free travel for Indian citizens in January 2024.
Thailand implemented visa-free entry for tourism, with stays up to 60 days. This will be in effect for six months starting from 15 Jul 2024 .[4][5]
Japan starts issuing single entry eVisas for all Indian citizens and foreign nationals residing in India starting 1 April 2024. This visa type is only for short stay tourism.[6]
Philippines started eVisas for Indian citizens after a sucessful pilot program.[7]
Previous Years
Year
Changes
2023
Angola has announced a list of 98 countries, including India, whose citizens can travel visa-free for 30 days (w.e.f 29 September 2023).
Thailand has announced a 6-month visa-free travel period for Indian citizens from 10 November 2023 to 10 May 2024, extending further to 11 Nov 2024.[8]
Sri Lanka announced free visa for Indians from 1 December 2023 until 31 March 2024, extending further to 31 May 2024.
Malaysia announced temporary visa-free for Indians from 1 December 2023 until 31 December 2024.
Belarus announced visa-free travel for Indians (with EU countries and Schengen area visa holders), provided they are not transiting to or from (including airside) Russia and are arriving at Minsk International Airport.[9]
Japan announced in July 2023 that Indian passport-holders who reside in Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, UAE, UK, US can apply for a single entry e-Visa for tourism purposes only.[10]
Russia launched a single entry e-Visa for 16 days from the 1st of August 2023.[11][12]
Egypt announced single and multiple entry e-visas for solo Indian travellers in April 2023.[13]
South Africa finally launched an e-visa system for all Indian travellers in February 2022. However, this is not fully implemented and is not applicable to residents in several European countries. The website doesn't function well and travelers are advised to check with their local South African embassy[14][15][16]
Oman announced visa-free entry to Indian citizens for tourism, as of 12 January 2022 for up to 10 days.[17] Afterwards, the period of stay in Oman was changed to 14 days.[18]
Albania announced visa-free travel to Indian citizens as of 23 April 2022 which is extended till the end of 2022. They then introduced e-visa applications for Indians.
Morocco announced an e-visa to Indian nationals for tourism and business purposes on 1 August 2022.[19]
2021
Egypt has been offering e-visa for Indian nationals in tour groups since 2021.[20] They announced e-visa for solo travels in April 2023.
United States announced that all eligible Indian citizens could now participate in the Global Entry program for expedited entry into the USA.[21]
2020
Ukraine has begun offering e-visas for tourism to Indian travelers from 14 August 2020.[22] Subsequently, because of a sudden military conflict in Feb 2022, they suspended all air travel over their airspace.
2019
Sri Lanka has announced free visa-on-arrival for Indian tourists, effective 1 August 2019.[23]
Ecuador suddenly imposed visa restrictions on Indian nationals effective 12 August 2019 because of misuse of visa-free travel.[24]
Barbados has announced visa-free tourist and business visas for Indian nationals.[25][26]
Kazakhstan first introduced a procedure for obtaining a single-entry visa in electronic format on 1 January 2019. They then announced a 14-day visa-free travel allowance for tourism and business on 7 July 2022. Kazakhstan announced a 14-day visa exemption to Indian nationals for tourism and business purposes on 8 July 2022.[27]
Chile introduced a visa on arrival for Indian citizens already in possession of a valid US visa/residency with at least 6 months validity in April 2019.[28]
Argentina allowed Indian nationals with a valid US visa with at least 6 months validity to apply for an ETA since March 2019.
Jordan announced that all Indian passport bearers became eligible for a visa on arrival, (but only with a valid Schengen, UK, US or Canadian visa) in December 2019,[29]
2018
All Indian passport bearers became eligible for a visa on arrival to Rwanda in January 2018, Zimbabwe,[30]Angola,[31] the Bahamas (but only with a valid Schengen, UK, US or Canadian visa) on 24 April 2018[32] and Iran on 22 July 2018.[33]
Myanmar has announced visa-on-arrival for Indian tourists entering the country through the international airports of Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay beginning 12 December 2018.[34]
Bangladesh and India both agreed to abolish visa application fees for each other's citizens in 2018. Thus Indian passport holders who apply for a Bangladeshi visa in India do not have to pay the visa application fee.[35][36]
The requirement for a visa was removed by Indonesia in July 2017, Qatar in August 2017,[40]Tunisia in October 2017 and Gabon in October 2017,[41]
Kyrgyzstan introduced online visitor visas in September 2017 (but they send an email after the application requiring a Letter of Invitation from a Tour company which costs at least USD 50), and Armenia in November 2017.[42][43]
Indian citizens already in possession of a valid UK, United States, Canada or Schengen visa became eligible to apply for a visa on arrival to Oman in October 2017,[44]Armenia in November 2017,[42] and Chile (US visa only) in April 2019.[28]
Visa requirements map
Visa requirements for Indian citizens holding ordinary passports
Andorra has no visa regime, but is only accessible through France and Spain: a double- or multiple-entry Schengen Visa or a Schengen Area residence permit is required.
Visa on arrival for USD 100, for a maximum stay of 30 days for valid visa holders or residents of Canada, the Schengen Area member states, UK, and US.[57]
Diplomatic passport holders are not required to hold a visa when travelling to Armenia - maximum stay of 90 days. The passport needs to be valid during the whole period of stay in Armenia.[62]
14 days to 1-year multiple-entry visa (max. stay 90 days).
Visa on arrival for Gulf Cooperation Council residents with a validity of more than 3 months and occupation should not be labourers.
Visa on arrival for holders of valid visit visa to UAE, UK, US, KSA (excluding Hajj & Umrah visa), Schengen or US Green Card[70] for 2 weeks Single Entry or Three months Multiple Entry.
Due to bilateral agreements, Diplomatic Passport and Official Passport holders are eligible for a visa on arrival if entering by air, road or sea but not train.
Visa fee waived for regular or ordinary passport holders who apply in India.
Visas are waived if you hold a visa for EU countries and the Schengen area.
National visa may be substituted with a Schengen visa or a national visa of country of EU, and if arriving and departing via Minsk International Airport.[75]
Permanent residents and holders of multiple entry visa of the US or Canada may obtain a visa on arrival. Holders of a valid visa issued by a Schengen Member state are visa exempt for a maximum stay of 90 days.
National visa may be substituted with a US permanent resident card. Travelers with a US permanent resident card no longer require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) as of 26 April 2022.[99]
Indian nationals, holders of a US visa of any kind (including Green Card) - except for type C (transit) - with at least six months validity at the time of arrival, shall be exempt from obtaining a Temporary Admission Visa (previous Tourist Visa) to enter Chile.[1]
National visa may be substituted with a valid C or D visa issued by a Schengen Area member state or a valid visa (with 180 days left) issued by the US (except for C1 transit visas).[109]
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa issued by the US or with a multiple-entry visa issued by Canada or a member state of the European Union.
Eligible to travel to Cuba with a tourist card if they also hold a valid visa or a residence permit issued by Canada, the United States, or an EU member state.
Passengers with a residence permit issued by a GCC Member State can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. The residence permit must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date.[130]
If travelling as a part of an organized tourist group that consists of at least 10 persons and holding both onward and return flight tickets, booked accommodation and a signed Letter of Guarantee (LG) from an Egyptian travel agency, a visa on arrival in Egypt can be obtained[131]
Air transit passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 48 hours do not need visas. Leaving the airport is permitted for passengers with transit time between 6 and 48 hours. Passengers with transit time of less than 6 hours may leave the transit area but not the airport; however, this exemption does not apply when transiting through Alexandria (HBE).
EgyptAir passengers can obtain free 96 hour transit visa at EgyptAir transit visa office at cairo airport.
Schengen category A visa (airport transit visa) is not required for Indian passport holders travelling through the international transit area of an airport during a stopover or a change of flights. https://um.fi/visa-to-visit-finland#Visa%20types
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa or residence permit issued by US, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, South Korea, Ireland, Schengen, and GCC countries, whose holders may be granted visa-free entry for 90 days in any 180 days.
Schengen category A visa (airport transit visa) is not required for Indian passport holders travelling through the international transit area of an airport during a stopover or a change of flights. https://island.is/en/do-you-need-a-visa/airport-transit-visa
National visa may be substituted with a UK C visa holders if they have first entered the United Kingdom and have been granted a stay of 180 days in the United Kingdom. They are visa exempt for a maximum stay of 90 days in Ireland or until the end of the period of stay granted in the United Kingdom, whichever is shorter. Entry permitted only if first point of entry to the Common Travel Area is in the UK.[169] May transit without a visa.[170]
People residing in India except those exempted from short-term visa, must apply for a visa at the Japan Visa Application Center (VFS Global) and receive the eVisa instead of visa sticker on passport.[175][176]
Residents in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, UK, US can also apply for a single entry e-Visa for Tourism purposes only and travel to Japan by air.[10]
Tourist / Transit visa for 30 days may be granted to permanent residents or valid visa holders of US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Schengen countries when they are travelling from or travelling to any of these countries and satisfy the conditions mentioned here https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/in-en/brd/m_20446/view.do?seq=748786&page=1.[188]
Citizens of India arriving through the checkpoint at Manas International Airport can stay visa-free for up to 7 days if they have a voucher (which can be purchased upon arrival at Manas International Airport) with a value of at least 500 US dollars and a return air ticket to their country of citizenship or to a third country with the right to re-enter visa-free after 21 days from the date of departure;
or with long-term visas (for a period of more than 3 years) of the United States of America, the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Schengen zone, where they can stay visa-free for 7 days with the right to re-enter visa-free after 21 days from the date of departure.[194]
In addition to a visa, an approval should be obtained from the immigration department of the General Directorate of General Security (Diréction Générale de la Sûreté Générale).
From 1 December 2023 until 31 December 2024, visas have been waived for Indians for 30 days for tourist purposes only.[214][215]
Compulsory online submission of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), Please note that your trip must be within 3 days (including the date of submission). The online MDAC forms available via- https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main?registerMain
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa or permanent residence documents issued by the US, Canada, Japan, UK, or Schengen Area member state to enter Mexico for tourism, transit, or business purposes.[223]
National visa may be substituted with a valid ('C' or 'D') visa or a valid residence permit issued by the United Kingdom, Schengen Area or European Union member state for visits up to 90 days.[227]
Indian citizens can apply for a visa online without a need for an invitation letter.[228]
e-Visa is issued for maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
Visa on arrival if holding a printed confirmation from the Immigration Authority (SENAMI) Headquarters in Maputo, indicating that a visa has been approved before departure.[238]
Indian nationals may also use their Voter ID card with photograph or Indian Passport to enter Nepal by air and land.
Indian citizens may live and work freely in Nepal under the terms of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. This treaty is implemented in law through section 14 of the Nepal Immigration Act 1992, regulations 3, 20 and 44A of the Nepal Immigration Regulation 1994, and section 8.4 the Nepal Immigration Procedures 2008.[246]
Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.[249]
Nationals of India with a normal passport and a valid visa issued by Canada, the US, or a Schengen Member State can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. (fee: USD 10)
National visa may be substituted with a valid double- or multiple-entry C visa issued by a Schengen Area member state or by a British, Canadian, or U.S. visa for maximum stay of 15 days. Proof of onward travel required.
Schengen category A visa (airport transit visa) is not required for Indian passport holders travelling through the international transit area of an airport during a stopover or a change of flights.
Visa not required for Pilgrims visiting Shri Kartarpur Sahib (since 2019).[258]
Sikhs (Indian passport holders) living outside India and holding a right to live in a 3rd country can apply for e-visa under special Pilgrim category on Nadra website.[259]
National visa may be substituted with a valid multiple entry visa issued by the US (including permanent residents[262]), UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, or an EU member state,[263] which has been used at least once to enter those countries and with at least one year validity remaining at the time of entry into Panama.[clarification needed][264][265]
Nationals of India who have a valid Australia, Canada, UK, US or Schengen Area visa or permanent resident permit can stay a visa-free up to 180 days within any 365-day period for tourist or business purposes. The visa must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date.[270]
Schengen category A visa (airport transit visa) is not required for Indian passport holders travelling through the international transit area of an airport during a stopover or a change of flights. https://www.gov.pl/web/india/visas---general-information
A visa waiver for a period of 30 days can be granted on arrival given the following conditions:
The passenger must have a confirmed return ticket.
Passengers must provide a confirmed hotel reservation booked through the Discover Qatar website only for the entire duration of stay subject to minimum of two nights booking.
Tourist visa on arrival for holders of valid Schengen, UK and US visa. Visitors must arrive through national carrier of Saudi Arabia.[291]
Visa on arrival if holding two or multiple entry short-stay valid visa issued by UK, US or a Schengen member state for stays of no more than 90 days.
Saudi Arabia announced 96 hour free transit visa for passengers of saudia or flynas when stopover the country valid for 90 days.[292]
Visitors can get visa on arrival at any international airport in Saudi Arabia but they must have a credit card to pay a fee amounting to SR 440 (Dh 431) as cash is not accepted. They will be allowed to stay for 90 days at a stretch and can enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia multiple times during the validity period of their visit visa.[293]
National visa may be substituted by a valid visa OR residence permit issued by any EU member state, Schengen Area member state, UK, or US, for a period not exceeding 90 days in a 180-day period and within the validity of the visa or residence permit.[296]
May obtain online e-Service through eligible authorized travel agencies [302] or through local sponsors (Singapore citizen or permanent residents).[303]
Indian nationals who are entering Singapore by any mode of transport but departing only via air or sea and having a valid visa or long-term pass with validity at least 1 month from entry date from countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, UK, US and Switzerland who are in transit to or from any third country may be conditionally eligible for 96-hours Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF).[304]
Transit visa required, except if holding a valid visa or residence permit issued by the US, UK, Japan, Canada, Ireland, Schengen Area or Cyprus or a residence permit issued by Andorra, Monaco, or San Marino.
Conditional single-entry eVisa issued for the period of 30 days to holders of a valid visa or residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member countries, US, UK, or Ireland.[339]
Letter of invitation issued by a company registered in Turkmenistan and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 10 days. They can apply to extend their stay for an additional 10 days.
Indians holding a valid US or UK or EU visit visa[348] or residence visa which is valid for a minimum of 6 months can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days for AED 253 (subject to change).[349] They can apply to extend their stay for an additional 14 days for AED 250 (subject to change).[350]
Visa not required if holding a biometric Irish visa endorsed with "BC BIVS" and with a valid Irish entry stamp. Other exemptions apply for Visa-free Direct Airside Transit.[352]
Holders of common passports who have a visa from the United States of America or the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, with a validity of no less than 6 months after the date of entry into the Republic, will not require a consular visa stamped in their passport.[356]
Holders of passports Citizens with a visa from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Schengen Area will not require a consular visa stamped in their passport. If the visa is valid for more than 18 months, one year must be subtracted from the date of entry into the country.[356]
Schengen zone visa or residence permit valid for 15 days. Serbia will not recognize the entry if coming from Kosovo without entering it first via Serbia. No Visa needed, if a holder of a valid travel documents issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan.[372]
Visa not required for holders of a valid biometric residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member states or a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa, a holder of a valid Laissez-Passer issued by United Nations Organizations, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe or European Union a holder of a valid travel documents issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, as well as holders of valid travel documents for foreigners (max. 15 days stay)[373]
14 day online travel authority is available to the citizens of India with permanent residency or valid visa or expired, of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Schengen Convention countries, United Kingdom or United States. But it must not have expired for more than 10 years prior to the date of arrival in Taiwan as well as visas marked "void", "canceled" or "canceled without prejudice" are not eligible.
Visa not required if holding a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by Canada, UK, Ireland or US.[398]
Visa not required if holding a multiple-entry short-stay Schengen visa, an authorization for temporary stay, or a residence permit of a Schengen country.
Visa not required if holding a residence permit of Overseas France.
Visa not required if holding a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by Canada, UK, Ireland or US.
Visa not required if holding a multiple-entry short-stay Schengen visa, an authorization for temporary stay, or a residence permit for a Schengen country.
Visa not required if holding a residence permit or visa for Saint Martin (French part).[398]
Visa not required if holding a residence permit of Overseas France.
Permit issued by the local police required for staying for less than 24 hours[402] and permit issued by the Norwegian police for staying for more than 24 hours.[403]
Unlimited period under Svalbard Treaty[404] but it is practically impossible to board a flight/ferry to Svalbard without entering Norway. Hence a double entry Schengen visa would be required to go and come back from Svalbard to mainland Norway.
A visa is required, except for holders of a visa issued by the United Kingdom. A valid UK, US, or Canada visa or residence permit can be used to enter Anguilla.
Visa required, except for a maximum stay of 3 months for holders of a multiple-entry visa issued by Canada, US or the UK, valid for at least 45 days beyond the period of intended stay in Bermuda.
Visa not required for permanent residents or holders of visas issued by the US, Canada or the UK, arriving directly from that country, except that residents of Canada may arrive from the US or Canada.[413]
UK Visa (6 months or more), or Multiple entry Schengen visa covers entry. Neither a permanent nor a temporary Schengen Residence Permit qualify you for entry.
Mount Athos – Special permit required (4 days: 25 euro for Orthodox visitors, 35 euro for non-Orthodox visitors, 18 euro for students). There is a visitors' quota: maximum 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox per day and women are not allowed.[457][458]
North Korea outside Pyongyang – Special permit required. People are not allowed to leave the capital city, tourists can only leave the capital with a governmental tourist guide (no independent moving).
Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak – Visa not required. These states have their own immigration authorities and passport is required to travel to them, however the same visa applies.[461]
Maldives outside Malé – Permission required. Tourists are generally prohibited from visiting non-resort islands without the express permission of the Government of Maldives.[462]
The Indian Government has not drafted any laws to mandate reciprocity in visa agreements with other countries. While a very small number of bilateral agreements have concluded with reciprocity for visa arrangements, a large number of visa relationships continue to be highly skewed to one side or the other.
In 2015, Iran revoked visa-on-arrival for Indian citizens after it was included as one of the eight countries in India's Prior Reference Category, which would be excluded from India's visa liberalisation plans for foreign tourists.[480] The other countries on the list at the time were Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria and Sudan.[480]
Full reciprocity
India has, by default, achieved full reciprocity in visa-free or e-Visa privileges with following countries or regions:
India has achieved partial reciprocity with following countries, where Indian Immigration rules afford the citizens of the following countries slightly lesser visa privileges than what the following countries provide for Indian Citizens:
Country
Visa requirement for Indian nationals to visit the country
Conditional visa on arrival for business, workshops, events, etc. It is unclear if this exemption is also valid for tourist class visas.[481] However, full reciprocity exists only in providing E-visa for tourism purpose.
Many countries require a minimum number of blank pages to be available in the passport being presented, typically one or two pages.[482] Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted as being valid or available.
Some other countries require vaccination only if the passenger is coming from an infected area or has visited one recently or has transited for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[485][486]
Passport validity length
Very few countries, such as Paraguay, just require a valid passport on arrival.
However many countries and groupings now require only an identity card – especially from their neighbours. Other countries may have special bilateral arrangements that depart from the generality of their passport validity length policies to shorten the period of passport validity required for each other's citizens[487][488] or even accept passports that have already expired (but not been cancelled).[489]
Some countries, such as Japan,[490] Ireland and the United Kingdom,[491] require a passport valid throughout the period of the intended stay.
In the absence of specific bilateral agreements, countries requiring passports to be valid for at least 6 more months on arrival include Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain,[492] Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel,[493] Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru,[494] Philippines,[495] Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Vietnam.[496]
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 4 months on arrival include Micronesia and Zambia.
Countries requiring passports with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Montenegro, Nauru, Moldova and New Zealand. Similarly, the EEA countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, all European Union countries (except Ireland) together with Switzerland also require 3 months validity beyond the date of the bearer's intended departure unless the bearer is an EEA or Swiss national.
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 3 months on arrival include Albania, North Macedonia, Panama, and Senegal.
Bermuda requires passports to be valid for at least 45 days upon entry.
Countries that require a passport validity of at least one month beyond the date of intended departure include Eritrea, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Macau, the Maldives[497] and South Africa.
Criminal record
Some countries, including Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and the United States,[498] routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record, while others impose restrictions depending on the type of conviction and the length of the sentence.
Persona non grata
The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning them from entering the country or expelling them if they have already entered. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity.[499]
Israeli stamps
Israeli border control Entry Permit (issued as a stand-alone document rather than a stamp affixed in a passport)
Kuwait,[500] Lebanon,[501] Libya,[502] and Yemen[503] do not allow entry to people with passport stamps from Israel or whose passports have either a used or an unused Israeli visa, or where there is evidence of previous travel to Israel such as entry or exit stamps from neighbouring border posts in transit countries such as Jordan and Egypt.
To circumvent this Arab League boycott of Israel, the Israeli immigration services have now mostly ceased to stamp foreign nationals' passports on either entry to or exit from Israel (unless the entry is for some work-related purposes). Since 15 January 2013, Israel no longer stamps foreign passports at Ben Gurion Airport. Passports are still (as of 22June2017[update]) stamped at Erez when passing into and out of Gaza.[citation needed]
Iran refuses admission to holders of passports containing an Israeli visa or stamp that is less than 12 months old.
Several countries mandate that all travellers, or all foreign travellers, be fingerprinted on arrival and will refuse admission to or even arrest travellers who refuse to comply. In some countries, such as the United States, this may apply even to transit passengers who merely wish to change planes rather than go landside.[504]
Fingerprinting countries/regions include Afghanistan,[505][506] Argentina,[507] Brunei, Cambodia,[508] China,[509] Ethiopia,[510] Ghana, Guinea,[511] India, Japan,[512][513] Kenya (both fingerprints and a photo are taken),[514] Malaysia upon entry and departure,[515] Mongolia, Saudi Arabia,[516] Singapore, South Korea,[517] Taiwan, Thailand,[518] Uganda,[519] the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Many countries also require a photo be taken of people entering the country. The United States, which does not fully implement exit control formalities at its land frontiers (although long mandated by its own legislation),[520][521][522] intends to implement facial recognition for passengers departing from international airports to identify people who overstay their visa.[523]
Together with fingerprint and face recognition, iris scanning is one of three biometric identification technologies internationally standardised since 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for use in e-passports[524] and the United Arab Emirates conducts iris scanning on visitors who need to apply for a visa.[525][526] The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to greatly increase the biometric data it collects at US borders.[527] In 2018, Singapore began trials of iris scanning at three land and maritime immigration checkpoints.[528][529]
Visa Exemptions
(This section is under construction, please help update it.)
In some instances, a Visa Exemption permits entry in lieu of obtaining a Visa / Entry Visa if in possession of the following Visas or Permanent Relationships; this is not limited to entitlements or provisions laid down by the country's law. For example: Indian citizens holding valid US visa are permitted to enter Mexico on the basis of their US visa, without the need for a Mexican visa.
United States of America
Indian Citizens in possession of a valid United States Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) visa-free: Albania, Argentina (Indian passport holders with a valid US B2 visa can avail an electronic travel authorization for the purposes of tourism), Bermuda, Bolivia, Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Montenegro, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Turkey (e-Visa), United Arab Emirates.
European Union
European Union Family Member - Indian Citizens who are traveling with or joining their EU family members in the European Union in a Country other than where their family member is a citizen of does not require a Visa to enter and enjoy the same entry rights and stay, however, this would be difficult to prove and as a result, entry could be refused.
Visa should be applied for in advance which is usually with no or minimal requirements to meet if the applicant is a family member of an EU Citizen. For instance, a person who wants to travel with their spouse to France where their spouse is a Citizen of the Republic of Lithuania should apply for a Schengen Visa in advance or where a person wants to join their Lithuanian spouse who resides in France should also apply for a Schengen Visa in order to prove their right and avoid misconception. In most cases, airlines will not permit travel without a visa.
There is no time limit a family member can stay (indefinite stay), they must just enter before the Visa expires if joining their family or traveling at the same time. There are no costs involved either. European Union citizens and their Indian family members will need to apply for settled or pre-settled status if they wish continue residing in the UK after 31 December 2020. Settled Status can be granted when the applicant has resided in the UK for 5 years and is valid indefinitely. In order to maintain settled status, people must visit the UK every 5 years. Pre-Settled status is granted when the applicant has resided in the UK for less than 5 years and is valid for 5 years.
In order to maintain pre-settled status, people must visit the UK every 2 years. However, applicants would have to meet continuous residence until they reach 5 years if they want to qualify for settled status after 31 December 2020. It will not be possible to be granted another pre-settled Visa.
Schengen Visa (Long Stay) - Holders of a Valid Long Stay Category D Visa who arrive in the Schengen European country of their Visa and apply for a Residence Card shortly after arriving will be able to use their EU residence permit / card for travel within the Schengen States, if granted.
GCC visa
Visa-free or Visa on Arrival to: Egypt, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Bahrain (GCC residents only, for Bahrain).
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates now giving 1 month, 2 months and 3 months visit visas for Indian nationalities.[530][531]
Canada Permanent Resident :Indian passport holders with valid Canadian permanent resident card can visit multiple countries without visa for example Mexico, Georgia, Qatar, Oman, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, UK (TWOV - Landside), Cuba, Peru,
↑ Total number includes tourists, business travelers, students, exchange visitors, temporary workers and families, diplomats and other representatives and all other classes of nonimmigrant admissions (I-94).
Visa requirements for Canadian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Canada.
Visa requirements for Emirati citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the United Arab Emirates.
Visa requirements for South Korean citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of South Korea.
Visa requirements for Botswana citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Botswana. As of 15 June 2024, Botswana citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 91 countries and territories, ranking the Botswana passport 59th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Czech citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Czech Republic.
Visa requirements for Finnish citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Finland.
Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Macau are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Macau.
Visa requirements for Tuvaluan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Tuvalu. As of 20 October 2024, Tuvaluan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 128 countries and territories, ranking the Tuvaluan passport 42nd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Luxembourg citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Luxembourg.
Visa requirements for Tongan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Tonga. As of 15 June 2024, Tongan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 131 countries and territories, ranking the Tongan passport 42nd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Portuguese citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Portugal.
Visa requirements for Spanish citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Spain.
Visa requirements for Greek citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Greece.
Visa requirements for British Nationals (Overseas) are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states and territories placed on British National (Overseas) passport holders. Several million people, the vast majority with a Hong Kong connection, hold this passport.
British Overseas citizenship is a form of British nationality under the British Nationality Act 1983. BOCs are British nationals but do not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. This citizenship is normally for certain people who retained British nationality after independence, but do not have enough ties with the United Kingdom to be British Citizens.
Visa requirements for Cape Verdean citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Cape Verde. As of 24 January 2024, Cape Verdean citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 69 countries and territories, ranking the Cape Verdean passport 73rd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Zimbabwean citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Zimbabwe. As of 2 July 2019, Zimbabwean citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 64 countries and territories, ranking the Zimbabwean passport 80th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. As of 9 January 2024, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 157 countries and territories, ranking the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines passport 27 in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Beninese citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Benin. As of 25 October 2024, Beninese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 65 countries and territories, ranking the Beninese passport 76th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Chad citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Chad. As of 25 October 2024, Chadian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 53 countries and territories, ranking the Chadian passport 88th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
↑ "Information about: Australian Resident Visa". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Retrieved 21 May 2020. Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
↑ Baker, Vicky (20 June 2013). "Passport expiry dates and blank pages: what are the rules?". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 January 2024. The number of remaining blank pages a passport should have is also an issue. Some travellers have reported arriving with one or less than one full page left and waiting for hours at immigration, until an official reluctantly grants them entry. The FCO lists no hard and fast rules because, in many cases, there aren't any.
↑ "Yellow Fever". Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). African Union. Retrieved 23 August 2021. African countries that requires (sic) Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: Countries that require vaccination for all travellers older that 9 months or 1 year: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameron, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'lvoire, DRC, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Niger, Togo.
↑ "Fièvre jaune" (in French). 2 September 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
↑ "Yellow Fever". Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). African Union. Retrieved 23 August 2021. African countries that requires Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: Countries that requires (sic) vaccination for travellers from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or transit for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
↑ "Visitor Visa". travel.state.gov. US Department of State. Retrieved 13 January 2024. Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
↑ "Countries whose citizens are allowed to enter Turkey with their expired passports". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Republic of Turkey. Archived from the original on 8 October 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2018. Countries whose citizens are allowed to enter Turkey with their expired passports: 1. Germany – Passports expired within the last year / ID's expired within the last year, 2. Belgium - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 3. France - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 4. Spain - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 5. Switzerland - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 6. Luxemburg - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 7. Portugal - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 8. Bulgaria – Valid ordinary passport
↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Embassy of Japan in Malaysia. Retrieved 13 January 2024. Q: Do I need at least 6 months passport validity in order to enter Japan? A: Japan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity, so long as your passport will be valid until after you leave Japan.
↑ "Entering the UK". Gov.UK. Retrieved 17 March 2021. You're not from an EEA country: you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
↑ Calder, Simon (24 April 2017). "Airline lobbying for a relaxation of draconian rules for London-Auckland travellers". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2018. Travellers heading west from the UK to New Zealand may soon be able to avoid the onerous requirement to clear US border control during the refuelling stop at Los Angeles airport (LAX). Unlike almost every other country in the world, the US insists on a full immigration check even for passengers who simply intend to re-board their plane to continue onwards to a foreign destination. Air New Zealand, which flies daily from Heathrow via Los Angeles to Auckland, says there are currently "strict requirements for travellers" in transit at LAX. Through passengers to Auckland on flight NZ1 or Heathrow on NZ2 must apply in advance for an ESTA (online visa) even though they have no intention of staying in the US. They also have to undergo screening by the Transportation Security Administration.
↑ "China to Start Fingerprinting Foreign Visitors". Air Canada. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2018. Effective April 27, 2018, border control authorities at all of China's ports of entry, including its airports, will start collecting the fingerprints of all foreign visitors aged between 14 and 70. Diplomatic passport holders and beneficiaries of reciprocal agreements are exempted..
↑ "Immigration & Visas FAQs". Kenya Airports Authority. Retrieved 6 May 2019. Will visitors still have their digital photo and fingerprints taken at the immigration desk on arrival? Yes, the need to have photos and fingerprints taken upon arrival is to authenticate that the person who applied for the Visa is the same person at the port of entry
↑ "Malaysia". CountryReports. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
↑ Brown, Theresa Cardinal (9 May 2016). "Biometric Entry-Exit Update: CBP Developing Land Border Process". Bipartisan Policy Center. Retrieved 25 April 2019. While a requirement for a biometric entry-exit system has been in law for over a decade, it is not yet a reality. Many reasons for the long gestating development have been documented in BPC's 2014 report Entry-Exit System: Progress, Challenges, and Outlook, including the technological, operational, and cost challenges of creating exit systems and infrastructure where none exist today. However, many critics, especially in Congress, simply accused the Department of Homeland security of dragging its feet... the major operational, logistical, and technical challenge in implementing exit capability at our ports has been the land borders. Unlike airports and seaports, the land border environment is not physically controlled, there is no means to get advance information on who is arriving, and the sheer volume of travel—both vehicular and pedestrian—creates challenges in any system to not further exacerbate delays. While biometric exit for land vehicular traffic is still in the "what if" stage, CBP is moving ahead and piloting systems and technology to use with the large population of pedestrian crossers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
↑ Lipton, Eric (21 May 2013). "U.S. Quietly Monitors Foreigners' Departures at the Canadian Border". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019. Long demanded by lawmakers in Congress, it is considered a critical step to developing a coherent program to curb illegal immigration, as historically about 30 percent to 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the United States arrived on tourist visas or other legal means and then never left, according to estimates by Homeland Security officials.
↑ Lipton, Eric (15 December 2006). "Administration to Drop Effort to Track if Visitors Leave". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019. Efforts to determine whether visitors actually leave have faltered. Departure monitoring would help officials hunt for foreigners who have not left, if necessary. Domestic security officials say, however, it would be too expensive to conduct fingerprint or facial recognition scans for land departures.
↑ "Iris Scanner Could Replace Emirates ID In UAE". SimplyDXB. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018. The breach of privacy is probably the biggest threat to the biometric technique of iris recognition. Secondly, a device error can false reject or false accept the identity which can also have some heinous consequences. Lastly, the method isn't the most cost-effective one. It is complex and therefore expensive. Furthermore, the maintenance of devices and data can also be relatively burdensome. However, thanks to the oil money and spending ability of Dubai, they are economically equipped to effectively embrace this system.
↑ Roberts, Jeff John (12 September 2016). "Homeland Security Plans to Expand Fingerprint and Eye Scanning at Borders". Fortune. Fortune Media IP Limited. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Unlike with documents, it's very hard for a traveler to present a forged copy of a fingerprint or iris. That's why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to vastly expand the amount of biometric data it collects at the borders. According to Passcode, a new program will ramp up a process to scan fingers and eyes in order to stop people entering and exiting the country on someone else's passport.
↑ "Singapore tests eye scans at immigration checkpoints". Reuters. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Singapore has started scanning travellers' eyes at some of its border checkpoints, its immigration authority said on Monday, in a trial of expensive technology that could one day replace fingerprint verification.
↑ "Myanmar Tourism Statistics 2015"(PDF). Central Statistical Organization. Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. Archived from the original(PDF) on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
1British Overseas Territories. 2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia. 3 Partially recognized. 4Unincorporated territory of the United States. 5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 6Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia.
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