Indians during the holiday season can now travel to several destinations across the world with numerous countries having extended visa-free privileges or providing convenient visa-on-arrival options. Iran was the latest nation to announce visa-free travel for Indians. Earlier this year, governments of Thailand and Sri Lanka, popular travel destinations, announced visa-free for Indian nationals from November 2023 to April 2024 for Thailand and from November 2023 to March 2024 for Sri Lanka.

There are 23 nations that do not require a visa to enter for Indian passport holders while there are 32 nations that allow Indian nationals to access visa-on-arrival.

• These are the nations that do not require a visa to enter for Indian passport holders: Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Niue, Vanuatu, Oman, Qatar, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Kitts and Nevis, Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Macao (SAR China), Nepal, El Salvador, Mauritius, Senegal, Tunisia, Malaysia.
• These nations allow Indian nationals to access visa-on-arrival: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Iran, Jordan, Bolivia, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe, Marshall Islands, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, St. Lucia.

  Among these here are the top destinations from both lists that Indians can travel to this holiday season:

  Nepal and Bhutan: Indians can travel to these two neighbouring countries without a visa. They will need to obtain an entry permit, which is issued upon arrival at the border entry points in case of Bhutan, which they have to present at every checkpoint for verification. For Nepal, a valid passport or a voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India will be enough to explore the nation.

  Seychelles: Seychelles offers a visa on arrival for Indian citizens and people travelling to the archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Indians will have to present a valid passport (with at least six months’ validity), return travel tickets, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.

  Thailand: Thailand earlier this year waived visas for Indian, Taiwanese and Russian travellers to boost tourism. People travelling to Thailand can apply for visas on arrival. They must carry their passport, flight details, proof of accommodation, a valid email address and sufficient funds. The nation is offering a 30-day visa-free entry for visitors from India, Taiwan and Russia from November 1 till May 10, 2024.

  Fiji: Indians also don’t need a visa to travel to Fiji. Indians can travel to the South Pacific paradise which comprises over 300 islands. Tourists in Fiji can explore vibrant coral reefs and the rich flora, fauna and cultural heritage of the island-nation. Indians travelling there have to present confirmed return or onward flight tickets and accommodation proof as well as proof of sufficient funds.

  Barbados: Indians can visit this island-country in the Caribbean without a visa and can stay there for a short period of time (90 days). It has pristine beaches as well as historic sites which Indians can enjoy during their stay.

  Malaysia: Indians can travel to Malaysia and may stay for up to 30 days visa-free, the nation’s government announced this year. Until November, Indian could enter Malaysia and would have apply for a visa-on-arrival but now Indians can enter for travelling the south Asian nation without a visa if they are limiting their stay to 30 days.