Which popular tourist destinations offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Indian passport holders?

Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius, Macao, Nepal, Bhutan, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Visa-on-arrival is available for popular destinations including Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Jordan, Ethiopia, Bolivia, and Qatar. Additionally, 47 countries offer e-visas, including Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, South Africa, UAE (prior online application required), and Russia.

Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit the USA, UK, Canada, or Schengen countries?

Yes, Indian passport holders require a visa to visit the United States (B1/B2 visa), United Kingdom (Standard Visitor visa), Canada (Temporary Resident visa or eTA if previously held a Canadian visa), and all Schengen countries (Schengen visa for 27 European nations). These must be obtained before travel through the respective embassy or consulate. No visa-on-arrival or e-visa options are available for these destinations.

What documents are required to apply for an Indian passport in 2025?

For a new Indian passport, you need: proof of identity (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or voter ID), proof of address (utility bills, Aadhaar, or rental agreement), proof of date of birth (birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or Aadhaar), and recent passport-sized photographs. Apply online through the Passport Seva Portal (www.passportindia.gov.in), pay the fee (₹1,500 for normal processing, ₹3,500 for Tatkaal), and schedule an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Police verification is mandatory for first-time applicants.

How long does it take to renew an Indian passport and what is the validity period?

Indian passport renewal typically takes 7-10 working days for normal processing and 1-3 days for Tatkaal (expedited) service, excluding police verification time if required. Apply online via the Passport Seva Portal within one year before expiry or anytime after expiry. Adult passports are valid for 10 years, while minors (under 18) receive 5-year validity. Renewal fees are ₹1,500 (normal) or ₹3,500 (Tatkaal) for a 36-page booklet, and ₹2,000 (normal) or ₹4,000 (Tatkaal) for a 60-page booklet.

Can Indian passport holders transit through Dubai, Singapore, or Istanbul without a visa?

Transit rules vary: Dubai (UAE) requires a pre-arranged visa or transit visa even for short layovers unless you have confirmed onward tickets within 24 hours and don't leave the airport. Singapore allows visa-free transit for up to 96 hours under the Transit Without Visa (VWOV) facility if traveling to/from certain countries with onward tickets, but an e-visa is required for entry. Istanbul (Turkey) permits airside transit without a visa if staying in the international zone, but entering Turkey requires an e-visa obtainable online before travel.

Is military service mandatory for Indian citizens and does it affect passport issuance?

No, India does not have mandatory military service. The Indian Armed Forces operate on a voluntary basis. There is no compulsory conscription or national service requirement for Indian citizens. This does not affect passport issuance, renewal, or international travel rights. Citizens are free to travel abroad without military service obligations, unlike countries such as South Korea, Israel, or Singapore that have mandatory conscription.

Do Indian citizens have freedom of movement within India and right to work abroad?

Yes, Indian citizens have constitutional freedom of movement throughout India under Article 19(1)(d) without any internal permits. For working abroad, Indians can seek employment in any country but must obtain appropriate work visas/permits from the destination country. Popular work destinations like UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore each have specific work visa categories. The Indian government provides emigration clearance (EC) through the eMigrate system for certain countries and job categories to protect workers' rights.

Why did India's passport ranking drop from 80th in 2024 to 85th in 2025?

India's Henley Passport Index ranking dropped from 80th (62 visa-free destinations) in 2024 to 85th (57 visa-free destinations) in 2025, a decrease of 5 destinations. This decline may be due to countries tightening visa policies, removing visa-free access, or other nations improving their passport strength. Rankings are relative and fluctuate based on bilateral agreements and global diplomatic relations. Despite the drop, India has significantly improved from 71st rank (25 destinations) in 2006, showing long-term progress in global mobility.

Which countries are restricted or banned for Indian passport holders to visit?

Indian passport holders face travel restrictions to: Pakistan (visa required with complex approval process due to diplomatic tensions), China (visa required, with restrictions in certain regions), North Korea (visa required with limited tourism), and Afghanistan (high-risk travel advisory). The Indian government also issues travel advisories against non-essential travel to countries with security concerns. Additionally, some countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE have specific documentation requirements. There are no countries that completely ban Indian passport holders, but visa approval depends on bilateral relations and individual circumstances.

India Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 57 Countries

The Indian passport currently ranks 85th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 57 destinations worldwide. While India's passport ranking has fluctuated between 71st and 90th position over the past two decades, it has shown gradual improvement in travel mobility, rising from just 25 visa-free destinations in 2006 to 57 in 2025. The Indian passport provides moderate international travel freedom for its holders, though it still lags behind many Western and Asian nations in terms of global mobility and unrestricted access to major economic regions.

Global Rank

#85

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for India passport

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

125

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Indian Citizens

Popular destinations where India passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Thailand	Up to 60 days	TH
Malaysia	Up to 30 days	MY
Indonesia	Up to 30 days	ID
Maldives	Up to 90 days	MV
Mauritius	Up to 90 days	MU

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for India passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

26 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

28 countries

🔐 ETA Required

3 countries

Kenya
Seychelles
St. Kitts and Nevis

💻 E-Visa

44 countries

❌ Visa Required

125 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

India's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 14 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official India Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

🔗

Passport Seva - Official Passport Portal

🔗

Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs

🔗

e-Visa - Official Government of India Visa Portal

🔗

Consular Services - MEA

Compare India Passport with Other Passports

See how India's passport compares with other ASIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
India (You are here)	#85	57	42/100	55/100
Mongolia	#78	65	65/100	62/100
Philippines	#79	64	67/100	21/100
Kyrgyzstan	#81	62	45/100	19/100
Uzbekistan	#82	61	42/100	18/100
Tajikistan	#87	55	28/100	13/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, Indian passport holders can visit 57 countries without a prior visa. This includes 26 visa-free destinations (such as Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, and Iran), 28 visa-on-arrival countries (including Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Jordan), and 3 destinations with electronic travel authorization (Kenya, Seychelles, and St. Kitts and Nevis). India ranks 85th globally on the Henley Passport Index 2025.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover India's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

India Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 57 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 60 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

India's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 14 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare India Passport with Other Passports

See how India's passport compares with other ASIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
India (You are here)	#85	57	42/100	55/100
Mongolia	#78	65	65/100	62/100
Philippines	#79	64	67/100	21/100
Kyrgyzstan	#81	62	45/100	19/100
Uzbekistan	#82	61	42/100	18/100
Tajikistan	#87	55	28/100	13/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for India passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Indian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

India's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official India Passport & Travel Resources

Compare India Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Indian passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Which popular tourist destinations offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Indian passport holders?

Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit the USA, UK, Canada, or Schengen countries?

What documents are required to apply for an Indian passport in 2025?

How long does it take to renew an Indian passport and what is the validity period?

Can Indian passport holders transit through Dubai, Singapore, or Istanbul without a visa?

Is military service mandatory for Indian citizens and does it affect passport issuance?

Do Indian citizens have freedom of movement within India and right to work abroad?

Why did India's passport ranking drop from 80th in 2024 to 85th in 2025?

Which countries are restricted or banned for Indian passport holders to visit?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for India passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Indian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

India's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official India Passport & Travel Resources

Compare India Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Indian passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Which popular tourist destinations offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Indian passport holders?

Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit the USA, UK, Canada, or Schengen countries?

What documents are required to apply for an Indian passport in 2025?

How long does it take to renew an Indian passport and what is the validity period?

Can Indian passport holders transit through Dubai, Singapore, or Istanbul without a visa?

Is military service mandatory for Indian citizens and does it affect passport issuance?

Do Indian citizens have freedom of movement within India and right to work abroad?

Why did India's passport ranking drop from 80th in 2024 to 85th in 2025?

Which countries are restricted or banned for Indian passport holders to visit?

Explore More Passport Rankings