Visa-free Travel Map Changes for Indian Passport Holders in 2026

This year, some noticeable changes are expected for Indian passport holders, who now have the advantage of traveling without a Visa.

Henley Passport Index, an authentic global ranking, shows which nations allow visa-free travel. 2026 brings both good and bad news for Indian travellers.

Indian Passport Shows Improvement in Global Ranking

This year, India’s passport ranking has improved to 80th position.

​It indicates five spots higher than last year. The surge is a positive sign showcasing sustained growth in India’s diplomatic relationships with other countries.

​But despite this progress, Indian passport holders still don’t have visa-free access compared to citizens of other countries.

Key Changes in 2026

One of the significant developments in 2026 is that Indian citizens can now travel to many countries without a visa.

​According to the latest index, Indian passport holders can travel to 55 countries without a visa before leaving their homeland.

​Places to enter without a visa in advance include at the airport (visa-on-arrival for Indians) or with an electronic travel authorization (ETA).

​Although the total has continued to increase compared to previous years, the number is still not higher than before.

​In 2025, Indian travellers could visit 57 countries, but now that number has reduced to 55.

​The main reason for this drop is two countries: Iran and Bolivia. These countries no longer allow visa-free entry options for Indian passport holders.

​Earlier, Indians could visit these countries, but now they must apply for a visa in advance to travel there.

​Talking about Iran, it made changes because of security reasons.

Which Countries Are Visa-Free For Indians?

On the positive note, some other countries have made it easier for Indians to enter.

​One example is Indian travelers getting permission to stay visa-free for up to 30 days in Malaysia. But for this, they must fill out the simple digital arrival form.

​Another prominent example is Kazakhstan, which also allows visa-free entry due to better relations with India.

​Counting on more visa-free countries for the Indian passport is​

• Asia
• Africa
• Oceania
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Mauritius
• Fiji
• The Caribbean
• African nations

Many of these global destinations offer visa-on-arrival or ETA options. This makes them an ideal pick for tourism, short stays, and business.

​Even with these improvements, Indian travellers still have to struggle with visa requirements for big countries such as Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States.

​Hence, they need to stay up to date on the specific visa rules before planning to visit these places.

​The Bottom Line

In short, the visa-free travel map for Indian passport holders in 2026 indicates a positive development.

​Even though India’s passport ranking has improved to #80, entry rules in some countries have become stricter.

​Although Indian travellers have easier access to some countries, they still need to check the visa rules and latest travel guidelines before booking their journey.

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