Thailand and Sri Lanka have extended their visa-free entry facilities for Indian tourists.
In a rather exciting development, Thailand has announced the extension of visa-free entry for visitors from India till November 11, 2024. The visa waiver, which was implemented on November 10, 2023, was earlier till May 10, 2024. Not just Thailand, The Sri Lanka government too has announced the extension of the facility for Indian tourists till May 31, 2024, after kicking off its visa-free entry as a pilot project in October, 2023. For both Thailand and Sri Lanks, the visa fee waiver is valid for 30 days.
Visa-free travel means that you can enter a country without getting a visa before travel and you can get it once you land in the country. With the facility, the travellers can avoid visa processes and visitors can save up on the visa fees as well. India has had an agreement with several countries, under which Indians can visit without lengthy procedures.
For visa-free travel, the visitors need a passport to pass through customs in visa-free nations. However, some countries do need some additional documents like proof of onward travel, and so forth. In certain nations, travellers are also asked to pay an airport or departure tax.
In fact, on February 4 this year, Iran also let go of visa requirements for Indian passport holders, and Indian tourists can head to the country once every six months for a maximum period of 15 days. Kenya too has allowed visa-free entry for Indians, but tourists need to get electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) by registering on the Immigration and Citizen Services portal. Visitors from India can also travel to Malaysia without a visa for up to 30 days.
Check out the list of visa-free countries for Indian nationals:
Angola
Visa-free: 30 days
Barbados
Visa-free: 90 days
Bhutan
Visa-free / 14 days
Dominica
Visa-free / 180 days
El Salvador
Visa-free: 90 days
Fiji
Visa-free / 120 days
Gambia
Visa-free: 90 days
Grenada
Visa-free: 90 days
Haiti
Visa-free: 90 days
Iran
Visa-free / 15 days
Jamaica
Visa-free
Kazakhstan
Visa-free / 14 days
Kiribati
Visa-free: 90 days
Macao
Visa-free: 30 days
Malaysia
Visa-free: 30 days
Mauritius
Visa-free: 90 days
Micronesia
Visa-free: 30 days
Nepal
Visa-free
Palestinian Territories
Visa-free
Rwanda
Visa-free: 30 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Visa-free: 90 days
Senegal
Visa-free: 90 days
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Visa-free: 90 days
Sri Lanka
Visa-free: 30 days
Thailand
Visa-free: 30 days
Trinidad and Tobago
Visa-free: 90 days
Vanuatu
Visa-free: 30 days
Requirements of visa-free countries
A valid passport
Maximum duration of stay
Proof of return or onward ticket
Proof of sufficient funds
Proof of accommodation
Travel/Medical insurance
Criminal record check
Customs and declarations
Interestingly, for Indian citizens, there are two countries that do not require a passport for entry, and they are Nepal and Bhutan. While no passport is required, travellers need to submit an Aadhaar card, driving licence, or voter ID card for entry.
