What do Visa-free Countries Mean?
Countries that do not require people to get a visa before entering their territory are referred to as visa-free countries. When travelling visa-free, you do not need to visit the consulate to obtain the visa, nor do you need to pay any visa fees for the same. Two countries can mutually share a visa-free agreement given their good diplomatic relationship and friendly cooperation. Worldwide, several countries have opened up gates for tourists and business travellers without any visa hindrances.
Travel and stay duration to visa-free countries for Indians are shorter and pre-specified by the countries allowing this facility to tourists and visitors. However, visa-free doesn’t mean that people can travel without any valid travel documents and arrangements, including a legally attained passport, ticket, proof of accommodation for the stay, and minimum sufficient funds.
List of Visa-free Countries for Indian Passport Holders
Most foreign countries mandate Indians to obtain an authorised visa before visiting. The good news is, a good total of 16 countries have done away with the visa formalities for Indians. Thanks to amicable relations and cross-border cooperation, these nations offer Indians to visit and explore their region without paying visa fees. Below is the list of countries to visit without a visa from India:
| Barbados |
Hong Kong SAR |
Niue Island |
Serbia |
| Bhutan |
Maldives |
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines |
Trinidad & Tobago |
| Dominica |
Mauritius |
Samoa |
Nepal |
| Grenada |
Montserrat |
Senegal |
Haiti |
Also Check: List of Countries Offering Visa on Arrival for Indians
What is the Validity for Indians to Travel to Visa-Free Countries?
You can enjoy the beauty of these visa-free countries on an Indian Passport. But, remember that as Indians, your visa-free stay in the countries is limited to a certain period as decided by the country you’re travelling to. Here, you can check the visa-free stay validity for these countries:
| Serial No |
Country |
Continent |
Validity |
| 1. |
Barbados |
North America |
Up to 90 days |
| 2. |
Bhutan |
Asia |
Up to 6 months |
| 3. |
Dominica |
North America |
Up to 6 months |
| 4. |
Grenada |
North America |
Up to 90 days |
| 5. |
Haiti |
North America |
Up to 90 days |
| 6. |
Hong Kong |
SAR China |
Up to 14 days |
| 7. |
Maldives |
Asia |
Up to 90 days |
| 8. |
Mauritius |
Africa |
Up to 90 days |
| 9. |
Montserrat |
North America |
Up to 6 months |
| 10. |
Nepal |
Asia |
Indefinite Length of Time |
| 11. |
Niue Island |
Oceania |
Up to 30 days |
| 12. |
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines |
North America |
Up to 30 days |
| 13. |
Samoa |
Oceania |
Up to 60 days |
| 14. |
Senegal |
Africa |
Up to 90 days |
| 15. |
Serbia |
Europe |
Up to 90 days |
| 16. |
Trinidad & Tobago |
South America |
Up to 90 days |
While these nations allow Indians to stay without a visa, some destinations might require a prior entry permit and documents. You can check with the destination country’s embassy for more clarity.
Important Guidelines for Indians Travelling to Visa-free Countries
While travelling to visa-free countries on an Indian passport, you should be extra careful. Read on to learn about the do’s and don’ts of travelling to these visa application-free nations:
| Do’s |
Dont’s |
- Get the details about your destination, its places to visit, and hotels, local transport, the Indian embassy, etc.
- Check the latest travel advisories to ease your trip and avoid unnecessary travel risks.
- Make sure your passport has a validity of at least the next 6 months to 1 year.
- Take responsibility for your travel safety, and finances while obeying the country’s laws.
- Check if your destination country mandates travel insurance. If so, opt for the right coverage for beginning your journey.
|
- Do not ignore medical advisory vaccinations for health concerns.
- Do not travel to countries witnessing political disturbances or terrorism.
- Do not forget to opt for international travel insurance before leaving.
- Do not forget to keep copies of your essential documents like health insurance, traveller’s cheques, and credit card numbers.
- Do not forget to check the local mobile operating rules of the country.
- Do not panic in case of any emergency. Keep the contact details of Indian Embassy/Consulate.
|
Note: Visa requirements are subject to immigration terms and conditions of the respective countries. In case of any updates, please refer to the latest government travel guides and advisory.
Travel Documents Needed to Visit Visa-Free Countries on Indian Passport
The more you know about your destination’s rules, culture, and norms, the smoother your trip becomes. Here, we help you gather all the necessary information for visa-free countries for India:
Asia
- Bhutan: As an Indian visitor, you have to register yourself at the time of visiting Bhutan. Indian tourists can travel visa-free to the country but they should carry travel documents such as passport with a minimum of 6 months validity, and voter ID.
- Nepal: Covered by Indian borders on three sides, Nepal welcomes Indians to explore and do business in its region while staying for unlimited period. You must carry a valid passport and election card for authentication.
- Maldives: The Maldives is one of the must-visit countries where Indians don’t need a visa. All that you need to have in place is your valid passport, a pre-paid hotel reservation, and sufficient funds for your period of stay.
Africa
- Mauritius: Mauritius allows visa free stay for Indian passport holders. A valid passport, financial proof, accommodation proof, and flight booking documents are mandatory documents.
- Senegal: Located in West Africa, Senegal offers visa free travel to citizens of 55 countries and territories, including India, for 90 days. However, Indian citizens should carry a valid Indian passport along with a round trip ticket and proof of hotel reservation.
Oceania
- Nieu: Niue is one of the countries Indians can visit without a visa. All that you need to get is your valid passport with at least a 6-month validity. You can stay in Nieu for up to 30 days.
- Samoa: The island country, Samoa has waived off visa requirements for Indian travellers for up to 6 months. Ensure that you are carrying all the valid documents, including a mandatory health declaration form, vaccination certificate, travel insurance, and your passport with a 6-month validity.
Europe
Serbia: Indians do not need a visa to enter Serbia for a short stay for up to 30 days. Indians can enjoy a no-visa travel to the country if the purpose of the visit is tourism, transit or business.
America
- Barbados: As an Indian, you can stay in Barbados without a visa for up to 90 days. You need your passport with at least 6 months validity and a few blank pages.
- British Virgin Islands: Indians do not require any pre-arrival visa to visit BVI. All that you need to have in place is your valid passport for a stay of up to 30 days.
- Montserrat: A British Overseas Territory, Montserrat is a mountainous Caribbean island that invites Indians to stay and explore the island without any visa formalities. Don’t forget to carry your health documents, vaccination certificate, passport, hotel reservations, and proof of funds.
- Dominica: As per an agreement between the Dominican Republic and India, Indian nationals can travel visa-free to Dominica for up to 90 days. The mandatory documents that will be required include passport, proof of funds, confirmation of accommodation, and confirmed onward or returned ticket.
- Grenada: Grenada, which is located in the Caribbean Sea, allows a visa-free stay for Indian citizens up to 90 days. Valid passport, round-trip flight ticket, and yellow fever certificates are some mandatory visitors should have.
- Haiti: Indian passport holders are allowed visa free visits to Haiti. However, they must carry their valid passport and identity proof.
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Indian nationals can get entry into Saint Vincent and the Grenadines without a visa. Do carry your health documents, COVID vaccination certificate, passport, hotel reservations, and proof of funds.
- Trinidad and Tobago: Visa is mandatory for employment purposes. However, Indian tourists can travel without a visa to Trinidad and Tobago. They should have their passport with 6-month validity, round-trip tickets, sufficient funds for the trip, and medical insurance.
Travel Insurance for Visa-Free Countries for Indians
While travel insurance is not mandatory to carry to all the visa-free countries, it is highly advisable to get yourself covered. Unexpected emergencies and travel contingencies can strike travellers at any moment– disturbing the entire journey and its budget. Thus, travel insurance helps you manage the funds for all types of medical and non-medical expenses while securing the journey. What’s best is that you can customise your travel cover to match your medical needs and travel preferences.
Types of Overseas Travel Insurance
At Care Travel Insurance, we offer overseas travel policies at affordable prices with optimum coverage. Whether a one-time or frequent traveller, we have a slew of benefits for all kinds of travellers while meeting travel needs by covering medical or non-medical expenses for everyone. Read below the types of overseas Care travel insurance you can opt for:
- Single Trip International Travel Insurance: It provides coverage for a single international or domestic trip for fixed days.
- Multi-Trip International Travel Insurance: It provides coverage for multiple international or domestic trips with a pre-defined maximum number of days.
- Student International Travel Insurance: It provides coverage to students when going abroad for studies maximum for 3 years.
- Group International Travel Insurance: It provides coverage to employees when they go abroad to represent a company.
