Indian Passport Holders Granted Visa-Free Access to 57 Countries in 2023
Indian passport holders can now travel to 57 countries without a visa or by obtaining visa-on-arrival, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index. This development showcases the ever-evolving global landscape
Indian passport holders can now travel to 57 countries without a visa or by obtaining visa-on-arrival, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index. This development showcases the ever-evolving global landscape of travel freedom and marks an important milestone for Indian citizens.
Visa Free Countries list for Indians
- Barbados
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- British Virgin Islands
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoro Islands
- Djibouti *
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Grenada
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Indonesia *
- Iran *
- Jamaica
- Jordan *
- Kazakhstan
- Laos
- Macao (SAR China)
- Madagascar *
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands *
- Mauritania *
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Mozambique *
- Myanmar *
- Nepal
- Niue
- Oman
- Palau Islands
- Qatar
- Rwanda *
- Samoa *
- Senegal
- Seychelles *
- Sierra Leone *
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka *
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia *
- St. Vincent
- Tanzania *
- Thailand *
- Timor-Leste *
- Togo *
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
The Henley Passport Index, an authoritative report and ranking of the world’s passports based on the travel freedom they grant their citizens, released its latest results recently. The index considers how many countries a passport holder can visit without needing a visa or by gaining one upon arrival.
For Indian passport holders, the ability to travel to 57 countries visa-free reflects a significant enhancement in global mobility. These countries span continents and offer Indians a wide array of travel destinations without the added stress of visa procedures.
Among the 57 countries, popular tourist destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mauritius feature, opening up a world of travel possibilities for Indian tourists. It also includes countries like Iran, Bhutan, and several African nations where Indians can explore opportunities for business, study, or cultural exchange.
However, the Henley Passport Index also reveals the stark disparities in global mobility. Passports from countries such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, which consistently top the rankings, offer their holders visa-free access to 190 or more destinations. In comparison, Afghanistan, at the bottom of the list, allows access to just 26.
India’s standing in the index underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving global travel parity. It also indicates the potential for diplomatic negotiations to improve visa facilitations, thus improving the country’s global mobility score.
As travel gradually resumes following the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased access for Indian passport holders is an encouraging development. It not only facilitates personal and leisure travel but also fosters opportunities for international business, education, and cultural exchange.
The Henley Passport Index serves as a reminder of the power of passports, not just as travel documents, but as gateways to global opportunities, international understanding, and cultural exchange. For Indian citizens, the increased access to 57 countries offers new possibilities for exploration, growth, and global connections in 2023.
