NEW DELHI- Despite a slight drop in global passport rankings, Indian nationals maintain visa-free travel privileges to 58 countries worldwide, offering diverse options for tourism, business travel, and cultural exploration without the burden of visa applications.
The financial savings prove substantial as well, with travellers avoiding visa fees that can range from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 per person, depending on the destination.
Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index operates using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), widely recognised as the most comprehensive travel information database available. This ranking measures global mobility by calculating the number of destinations passport holders can access without obtaining a prior visa.
“The index provides critical insights into global mobility trends and has become an indispensable tool for both individual travellers and government policymakers,” explained a representative from Henley & Partners, which publishes the Global Mobility Report 2025 alongside the index.
With 19 years of historical data, the monthly-updated index serves as the standard reference for assessing where passports rank on the global mobility spectrum.
According to the recently released Henley Passport Index, India’s passport ranking has fallen to 81st position in 2025, down from 80th place in 2024. The index, considered the global standard for assessing passport strength, evaluates 199 different passports and their access to 227 travel destinations worldwide.
Visa-Free Countries for Indians
While Indian travellers still require visas for several major destinations, including European countries, the United States, and the United Kingdom, they enjoy unrestricted access to numerous other countries worldwide.
Indonesia stands out as perhaps the most notable visa-free destination, offering Indian visitors access to Bali and other tropical paradises without paperwork. Mauritius, with its pristine beaches and luxury resorts, also permits Indian nationals to enter without visa requirements.
The Maldives, another premier beach destination, continues to welcome Indians without visa restrictions, making it a popular choice for honeymooners and luxury travellers seeking quick getaways.
Emerging Destinations
Laos offers ancient Buddhist temples, stunning mountain landscapes, and the historic city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fiji presents a Pacific island paradise with 333 islands featuring coral reefs, clear lagoons, and vibrant cultural experiences.
Madagascar, home to unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, provides Indian travelers the opportunity to explore its distinctive ecosystems without visa formalities.
African Safari and Wildlife
The continent of Africa features prominently on India’s visa-free list, with several countries offering world-class safari and wildlife experiences.
Kenya, famous for the Maasai Mara National Reserve and its annual wildebeest migration, welcomes Indian visitors without visa requirements. Tanzania provides access to the Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro for adventure-seeking Indian travellers. Zimbabwe offers views of Victoria Falls and numerous wildlife reserves without visa restrictions for Indian nationals.
Neighbouring Countries
Several nations in India’s immediate vicinity continue offering visa-free access, facilitating regional travel.
Nepal maintains its long-standing open border policy with India, allowing unrestricted travel between the two countries. Bhutan, while requiring an entry permit rather than a visa, provides a straightforward process for Indian nationals wishing to visit the Himalayan kingdom. Sri Lanka offers visa-on-arrival services for Indian passport holders, providing easy access to its beaches, cultural sites, and wildlife reserves.
Complete List
- Angola
- Barbados
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- British Virgin Islands
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoro Islands
- Cook Islands
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Macao (Special Administrative Region of China)
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Mongolia
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Niue
- Palau Islands
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
Bottom Line
“Avoiding visa processing times allows for more spontaneous travel decisions,” noted a spokesperson from a leading Indian travel agency. “Travellers can book flights on short notice without worrying about application rejections or processing delays.”
Travel experts recommend that Indian citizens planning international journeys in 2025 consider these visa-free destinations to simplify their travel preparations while still enjoying diverse global experiences.
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