Ever wanted to take a last-minute trip abroad without worrying about visas? Traveling abroad has never been easier for Indian passport holders, with nearly 50 countries now offering visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry as of 2025.
That means you can skip the lengthy embassy visa process and get your visa stamped on arrival. This is great news whether you’re a solo adventurer, a business traveler on short notice, or a family planning a vacation.
This guide will walk you through the visa on arrival countries for Indians in 2025, highlight their benefits, list the countries by region, compare e-Visa vs visa on arrival, share some travel tips, and help you understand visa free vs visa on arrival – all so you can travel with confidence.
Benefits of Visa on Arrival for Indian Travelers
A visa on arrival means you obtain your visa at the port of entry (airport or border) instead of before you travel. This offers several advantages for Indian travelers:
- Convenience and Flexibility: Countries offering visa on arrival for Indians allow you to finalize travel plans on short notice. You don’t need to apply for a visa weeks in advance, which is perfect for spontaneous trips or urgent business visits. You could even add a new country to your itinerary mid-trip if it has visa on arrival.
- Less Paperwork: The process is simpler and typically requires minimal documentation at the airport. Indian travelers can skip lengthy application forms and interviews. Usually, you just fill a short form upon arrival and provide basic documents (passport, return ticket, hotel booking).
- Time-Saving: No more waiting for visa approvals before booking flights. With visa on arrival, Indian tourists and businesspeople save time as they get their visa on arrival at the destination without prior approval.
- Peace of Mind: The uncertainty of visa approval is reduced. For families traveling with kids or elderly members, not having to deal with pre-trip visa stress means a more relaxed start to the holiday.
Visa on Arrival Countries for Indians by Region
Many Indian passport visa on arrival countries span across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Below is a region-wise breakdown of popular destinations where Indian passport holders can obtain a visa upon arrival. (Keep in mind that visa rules can change, so always double-check before you fly.)
Asia and the Middle East
Asia is a favorite among Indian travelers, and luckily numerous Asian countries provide visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. Some top picks include:
- Thailand – Allows visa on arrival for tourism (often around 15 days). This makes it easy to enjoy Bangkok’s street food or Phuket’s beaches without a pre-arranged visa.
- Indonesia – Offers a visa on arrival (usually 30 days) for Indian tourists, so you can explore Bali’s temples and rice terraces with minimal fuss.
- Maldives – Provides a free 30-day visa on arrival. Indian honeymooners and families love that they can land in this island paradise and get a visa on arrival without any fee.
- Cambodia – Issues visas on arrival (around 30 days stay), ideal for history buffs heading to Angkor Wat.
- Jordan – Welcomes Indians with visa on arrival (typically for 30 days). Visiting Petra or the Dead Sea is simpler with this on-the-spot visa facility.
Many more Asian countries – from Myanmar to Iran – also extend visa-on-arrival facilities to Indian travelers.
Africa
From safari adventures to beach getaways, Africa has several countries where Indians can get visas upon landing:
- Mauritius & Seychelles – These island paradises provide easy entry (visa on arrival, essentially visa-free). Indians can enjoy their beaches and resorts without any prior visa hassle.
- Tanzania & Madagascar – Both countries offer visas on arrival to Indian visitors (typically for about 30 days). This makes it simple to explore East Africa’s safaris, wildlife, and unique landscapes.
Additionally, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda are among other African nations that provide visas on arrival to Indian visitors, broadening your travel choices in Africa.
Americas and Oceania
Even outside Asia and Africa, Indians can find some visa on arrival (or easy visa-free) options in other parts of the world:
- Bolivia – One of the few South American countries with visa on arrival for Indians (usually for a 30-day stay). This makes it simpler to backpack across the Andes and visit the Uyuni Salt Flats.
- Caribbean Islands – Some Caribbean nations welcome Indians with visa on arrival or visa-free entry. For example, Dominica and Barbados allow visa-free entry for Indians (no visa needed at all), while Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda offer visa on arrival facilities. It’s like a slice of the Caribbean without the visa hassles.
- Fiji – This Pacific island country grants visa on arrival to Indian tourists, allowing stays up to 4 months.
- Other Pacific Islands – Nations like Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Marshall Islands also provide visas on arrival (or easy visa-free entry) to Indian visitors, making even remote islands accessible.
(Note: Europe is not included in this list, as most European countries require visas for Indians in advance. Always check each country’s policy, as visa agreements can update.)
E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival
Travelers often ask: e-Visa vs visa on arrival – which is better? An e-visa (electronic visa) is applied for online before you travel, whereas a visa on arrival is obtained at the destination upon entry.
- Advance vs On-spot: E-visas require you to apply and pay online before your trip, while a visa on arrival is obtained on the spot at the airport. E-visas need some planning ahead, whereas on-arrival visas are perfect for spontaneous or last-minute trips.
- Arrival Process: With an e-visa approval in hand (usually a PDF or email confirmation), you can often skip visa queues and breeze through immigration. With a visa on arrival, you might need to wait in line, fill out a form, and pay the fee at the immigration counter. Both methods save you a visit to an embassy, but an e-visa means less waiting upon arrival, whereas a visa on arrival means less prep before departure.
For example, Indians must obtain an e-visa online for Turkey, whereas Thailand offers a visa on arrival at the airport.
Visa-Free vs Visa on Arrival
It’s important to understand visa free vs visa on arrival. Visa-free means you do not need a visa at all to enter a country. For example, Nepal and Bhutan have no visa requirements for Indian citizens – you can simply show your passport (or even an ID) and enter. In contrast, visa on arrival means a visa is required, but you obtain it upon landing rather than before the trip. There is still a bit of paperwork (and often a fee) at the entry point.
Both visa-free access and visa-on-arrival are beneficial since they save you from applying in advance. Visa-free is obviously the easiest scenario (no visa process whatsoever), whereas visa on arrival still involves getting a visa, but it’s a much simpler process compared to applying at an embassy ahead of time.
Travel Tips for Visa on Arrival Trips
Keep these tips in mind when traveling to countries offering visa on arrival for Indians:
- Carry essential documents: Be ready to show your return flight ticket, hotel booking, and proof of funds at the immigration counter if asked.
- Pack passport photos: Some countries ask for a passport-size photo for the on-arrival visa. Keep a couple of recent photos handy.
- Have cash for fees: Many visa-on-arrival destinations require you to pay the visa fee in cash (often in US dollars or local currency). Carry enough cash to cover the fee for everyone traveling with you, since card payments or ATMs may not be available at immigration.
- Check the latest rules: Visa policies can change. Before your trip, confirm that your destination still offers visa on arrival and see if any pre-registration or documents are needed.
- Don’t overstay: Be mindful of the duration your on-arrival visa allows, and never overstay your visa period. Overstaying can lead to fines or other problems, so plan your departure accordingly.
Conclusion: Plan Your Trip with Ease
The growing list of visa on arrival countries for Indians in 2025 has made international travel more accessible and stress-free. From Asian getaways to African adventures, Indian travelers have a world of choice without the headache of prior visas. Whether you prefer the spontaneity of a visa on arrival or the simplicity of visa-free travel, you can now focus more on enjoying your trip and less on paperwork.
If you’re feeling inspired to pack your bags, remember that Travenso Travel is here to assist you. From clarifying visa questions to booking flights and tours, we’ve got you covered. We handle the details so you can focus on enjoying your journey. Contact Travenso Travel for travel assistance and let us help make your dream vacation a reality!
Leave a Reply