There are times (not too often though), when I really envy those people (read Americans, British, Canadians, EU nationals, Singaporeans and a few others), who can just pick almost any destination off the world map, book tickets, hop on to a plane and be off. No pre-planning required, no gathering together of a long list of documents, no queuing up outside embassies and consulates and definitely no waiting with bated breath, fingers and toes crossed, hoping to see the all elusive visa stamp. But thankfully, despite these travails, the travel bug in K and me trumps each time and we continue to plan exciting holidays – with or without the visas!
However, occasionally there are situations when we have the holidays and the opportunity to travel, but not enough time to plan and apply for requisite visas – at least 2 months for Europe and longer for the US. The UK is quicker, if you have been before, either to the UK, Europe or the US. These times have been ideal for exploring India – which is so vast and diverse that despite having travelled extensively, there are tons of places we are yet to visit. The same goes for South Africa – since having moved here, we have taken several holidays (as you would have seen from the numerous blog posts), and are no where close to being done. We haven’t even had the time to venture ‘outside’ SA – until now! Soon K and I will be off to an amazing destination – more on this when we are back (yeayy!).
Coming back to the lack of time and the need to apply for visas, etc., there are several countries that people with Indian passports either do not require a visa for or can get one on arrival. According to the 2014 Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom that their citizens enjoy, the Indian Passport is ranked 76th in the world (out of 94, sigh), and Indians have access to visa-free or visa on arrival to 52 countries (yeayy??).
Some of the most promising and beautiful holiday destinations where we can go with next-to-no hassles are:
A beautiful Himlayan country, Bhutan is the world’s last remaining Buddhist kingdom, and is known for its strong sense of culture and tradition. Indian citizens who want to visit this magical kingdom do not need a visa. Only a valid passport or a voters’ ID card need to be carried.
Located to the south of India, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a lush tropical island of golden beaches and blue waters. From lazing on the beach to exploring ancient temples, Sri Lanka makes for a great holiday. Visa can be applied online by all.
2) Cambodia
A South-East Asian country, known for its temples (Angkor) and rich history. Cambodia has had a long association with India and after years of political instability and dictatorship, tourism is flourishing. Indians can get a visa-on-arrival or can apply for one online.
3) Hong Kong
Most people think of Hong Kong as a small city where one must go only for work or business. But this small city has much to offer to tourists as well – the amazing views from the Peak, night markets, ladies’ markets, Disneyland, multitude of restaurants serving international and local cuisines, street food, ferry rides, day trips to Macau and much more. Indian citizens do not require a visa if visiting for 14 days or less.
4) Dubai
City of malls and skyscrapers and a paradise for shoppers. Dubai attracts thousands of tourists on the promise of a shopping extravaganza! Since Emirates has become one of the most convenient and comfortable airlines connecting Asia to the rest of the world, a lot of us find ourselves stopping over at the Dubai airport every now and then. If you have the time, exploring the city does not take much effort – if flying Emirates, you can apply online for a visa.
5) Jamaica
Abundance of sun, blue waters of the Caribbean, white sands and RUM! That’s what Jamaica brings to mind. Unlike other Caribbean islands, Jamaica is known for its African-ness and history. Indian do not need a visa to visit this paradise.
6) Jordan
Among the Middle East countries, Jordan is often left out by tourists as a holiday destination. But from the ancient city of Petra to the modern sights of Amman, from the mesmerizing deserts to the secrets of the Dead Sea – Jordan has much to offer. And the good news is Indians do not need a pre-clearance and can get a visa on arrival.
7) Madagascar
Since having come to South Africa, Madagascar features high on my list of places to visit. Tourism is said to be still quite under-developed, but the island promises one of the most memorable holidays to the intrepid traveller. Lemurs, Grand Tsingy, rain forests, baobabs, canoe rides – Madagascar is much more than the animated movie! Visa on arrival is available to anyone visiting for 90-days or less.
8) Islands of Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles
These islands, located in the Indian Ocean, are very popular with honeymooners. Depending on the budget, any of these three islands are perfect for a typical beach holiday. Snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, under sea walk – all these activities are available on all three islands. Maldives offers a 30-day visa on arrival for all. For Mauritius, no visa is required by Indians and for Seychelles, no visa is required, irrespective of nationality.
9) Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique
Kenya and Tanzania are synonymous with the wild and the great migration. Anyone wishing to simply explore the wild and see animals in their natural and really wild habitat should head to either of these two African nations. Visa can be obtained on arrival for both countries by Indians.
Miles and miles of white sands, pristine blue waters and untouched beauty. Mozambique, on the east coast of Africa has for long been a popular tourist destination for South Africans. But it is slowly capturing the attention of the other world travelers as well. Visa can be obtained on arrival by Indians.
10) Samoa
The South Pacific Ocean Islands of Samoa are located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. Known for its rugged volcanic mountains, cascading waterfalls and white sandy beaches, Samoa offers easy access to all its visitors by providing a visa on arrival.
The above list is by no means exhaustive. I have listed the above countries based on either my travel experience or my lust for travel! Do you know of any other places that are great for travel without the additional visa headaches?
Mia Musings 
Great information!
Some additions to the list:
a) Vietnam – online visa application possible for Indian nationals
b) Myanmar – visa on arrival
c) Ethiopia – visa on arrival
d) Indonesia – visa on arrival
e) UAE – online via Emirates or Oman Air
Thanks for the additional info Panam!
Do add Uganda also in the East African countries..its visa on arrival
Will add it in the list. Thank you!
Now indians can get visa on arrival in Bahrain aswell..
Oh wow!! Thanks for the update Aneeshh.
No Visa Needed..
Réunion
Bhutan
Hong Kong
Macau
British Virgin Islands
Jeju-do
Nepal
Antarctica
Seychelles
Macedonia (FYROM)
Svalbard
Dominica
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Montserrat
St Kitts and Nevis
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
El Salvador
Ecuador
Cook Islands
Fiji
Micronesia
Niue
Samoa
Vanuatu
Honduras
Bermuda
Kosovo
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Palestine
Pitcairn Islands
Mauritius
Visa On Arrival..
Bahrain eVisa
South Sinai
Indonesia
Laos
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Comoro Islands
Maldives
Cape Verde
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Madagascar
Mozambique
Togo
Tajikistan
Bolivia
Nauru
Uganda
Palau
Tuvalu
Jordan
Uganda
Could be More..
Thank you so much! Amazing list Singh 🙂 appreciate it.
please take care, Indians need VISA to travel to Nicaragua, El salvador, Guatemala ,Honduras in Central america and Haiti in Caribean . only if you have valid USA visa , you dont need visa for these countries, otherwise . they wont allow you to enter .
Thanks
Shashi Bhushan Tyagi
Medellin Colombia S.America
Thanks Shashi for the clarification. Appreciate your input.
Great Great thanks for U valuable guidelines.
No problem.
A whole lot of countries can be visited by Indian passport holders without a prior visa (i.e. either no visa required or one is issued on arrival). If you add in the countries that let you visit if you have a valid US/UK/Schengen Visa then the number multiplies. So visa hassles can no longer be your excuse to not travel.
Thank you Vietnam Visa…I know that 52 countries can be visited hassle free and a host of others if you have a valid US visa. But both Schengen and the US pretty painful to get! However, you are right…thats no excuse not to travel!
Guys, these lists are pretty impressive. I have a massive bucket list now – visiting every visit-able visa-free Country in this list.
Cheers
Wish you luck in your travels Simardeep! Glad you found the information useful.
Can anyone tell me how to go and work in the Fiji,samoa,hong Kong,Jamaica??? Plzz help me I want go there for work.
Thank you for the info.
Thanks a lot for information on Visa Free Countries. Can you find and let me know for the visa for Armenia ?
I’m Rezwan from kolkata India, I need a Information for “Working Visa” Requirements for Indian Passport Holder and what is the fees for 2 years working visa.
Plz send me the Information as soon as posible
Thank you
Hi Rezwan, I am a blogger and not a travel agent or visa company. Hence I cannot help you. Please research online
Reblogged this on Santa's Reindeer and commented:
Lots of these places are on my bucket list 🙂
Thanks Santosh!
Good information now Indians can easily plan their vacations. Impressive post and loved those descriptions.
Thanks Tereza.
Hi.. How about going to the Philippines? Do Indian Nationals need to get visa before arrival or they are allowed to enter without visa for 14 days? I have done some research about this but it gets me confused because some sites says, they need pre-approved visa and some sites says its a Visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding 14 days.. which is which? please let me know.
xanthina – To travel to Philippines by Indian Nationals, you need a pre approved visa unless you have a valid US/ Canada/ UK/ Schengen or Singapore Visa, which will allow you to enter Philippines for 14 days visa free extendable to another 7 days. The pre approved visa also will have a validity of only 21 days stay on your first visit. Unless you have a valid visa of the mentioned countries, you will need to take a 9A visa for tourist to travel to philippines.
Thank you Sarboni for the detailed reply. Appreciate it.
I really appreciate the information Saborni. Do you know if we can apply for Philippine visa in Thailand or Bali because my boyfriend will fly from India to probably Thailand or Bali before going straight to the Philippines, or does he need to have it approved in New Delhi before flying to either one of those countries?
Thank for post listed countries no need visa for Indian passport holders…..is it real….thank u
Yes Srii Ni Vas, its true for the countries listed.
Hi i am planning to go to guantamala centeral america i am confuss that indian passport holder needs a visa for guantamala or nt and what are basic requirments thanx
Hi Deepak, as far as I know, Indians do need a visa for Guatemala. But it will be best to contact the embassy in Delhi directly to get the information.
Guatemala
Guatemala embassy address in New Delhi, India
Embassy of Guatemla
E-5/1,
Vasant Vihar,
New Delhi – 110057,
India
Contact number of embassy of Guatemala in New Delhi, India
+91-11-46088400,
I myself also envy European visitors when they can pick up any destinations to travel without visa hassle.
If Indian travelers do not abuse the Visa issued to overstay. I think many countries will extend Visa free or Visa to Indian passport holders. I am very glad to see many countries are offering us these hazzle free travels.
Not abusing the Visa of any kinds will facilitates to enjoy hassle free to many Indians who love to travel abroad.
Hello. I have indian passport. can I go to colmbiya short trum tour on arrival visa?
What are the list of countries that Indians get visa on arrival , if you have a valid tourist US Visa .
Didn’t know there are sooo many countries we could fly to without visas!!! Thanks very much!!
Most welcome Lata!
Can you please tell me if I can visit Hawaii Island from Japan . I am an Indian citizen with Japan Resident Visa. I also have Singapore evisa and South Korean Business Visa.