This is a list of countries that Indians may visit this holiday season, with visa waivers just announced for Iran and Thailand

Indians may now travel to a number of countries worldwide throughout the Christmas season, with many offering simple visa-on-arrival alternatives or extended visa-free rights. The most recent country to declare visa-free travel for Indians was Iran. The famous holiday destinations of Thailand and Sri Lanka announced earlier this year that Indian people will not need a visa for entry into either country from November 2023 to April 2024 (for Thailand) or from November 2023 to March 2024 (for Sri Lanka).

For bearers of an Indian passport, there are 23 countries where entry is visa-free and 32 countries where visas are granted upon arrival.

Indian passport holders are exempt from needing a visa to access these countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Niue, Vanuatu, Oman, Qatar, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Kitts and Nevis, Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Bhutan, El Salvador, Nepal, Macao (SAR China), Senegal, Tunisia, Malaysia.

Visas for entry into the following countries are waived for Indian nationals upon arrival: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Iran, Jordan, Bolivia, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe, Marshall Islands, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, St Louis.

The following are the top travel locations for Indians over the Christmas season, based on both lists:

India does not need a visa to enter Nepal or Bhutan, two of its neighboring nations. In the event that they go to Bhutan, they will be required to get an entrance permit, which is provided upon arrival at the border entry points and must be shown for verification at each checkpoint. To travel across Nepal, all you need is a voter identification card provided by the Indian Election Commission or a valid passport.

Seychelles: Citizens of India and visitors to the Indian Ocean archipelago are eligible for a visa on arrival from Seychelles. Indian nationals must provide evidence of housing, enough cash, a valid passport (valid for at least six months), and return tickets.

Thailand: To encourage travel, Thailand earlier this year eliminated visa requirements for Russian, Taiwanese, and Indian citizens. Upon arrival, visitors to Thailand may apply for a visa. They need to have their passport, airline information, lodging documentation, a working email account, and enough cash with them. From November 1 to May 10, 2024, the country will provide travelers from Taiwan, India, and Russia a 30-day visa-free entrance.

Fiji: There is no visa needed for Indians visiting Fiji. The paradise of the South Pacific, with more than 300 islands, is accessible to Indians. Vibrant coral reefs, as well as the island nation’s abundant flora, wildlife, and cultural legacy, are all accessible to visitors. Indian travelers must provide confirmation of adequate finances, confirmed return or onward airline tickets, and proof of lodging.

Barbados: Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean that Indians are permitted to visit and remain in for a maximum of 90 days without a visa. Indians visiting the area may take advantage of its immaculate beaches and historic monuments.

Malaysia: The country’s government said this year that Indian nationals are permitted to enter and remain there without a visa for a maximum of 30 days. Up until November, Indian visitors to Malaysia had to apply for a visa at the airport. However, as of right now, visitors who want to spend no more than 30 days may enter the country without a visa.