{"title":"Indian Passport Entry Friction Index 2026","version":"2026.1","lastUpdated":"2026-07-19","publisher":"VisaGyan","publisherUrl":"https://visagyan.in","methodologyUrl":"https://visagyan.in/research/indian-passport-entry-friction-index-2026#methodology","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","attribution":"VisaGyan, Indian Passport Entry Friction Index 2026, https://visagyan.in/research/indian-passport-entry-friction-index-2026","scope":"A source-linked sample of 24 destinations commonly researched by Indian outbound travellers; not an exhaustive passport ranking.","tierDefinition":{"0":"Visa-free entry","1":"Visa on arrival","2":"Electronic pre-departure approval (eVisa or eTA)","3":"Visa required in advance through an embassy, visa centre or authorised agent"},"summary":{"destinations":24,"visaFree":5,"visaOnArrival":2,"eVisa":10,"eta":2,"traditionalVisa":5,"preDepartureApproval":17,"preDepartureApprovalPercent":71,"digitalArrivalCard":2,"eVisaPercent":42,"traditionalVisaPercent":21},"rows":[{"destinationCode":"BT","destination":"Bhutan","entryType":"visa-free","entryTypeLabel":"Visa-free","frictionTier":0,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":null,"note":"No visa required. An entry permit is issued on arrival and a Sustainable Development Fee (about BTN 1,200 per day) applies beyond the border towns.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://immi.gov.bt/"},{"destinationCode":"MY","destination":"Malaysia","entryType":"visa-free","entryTypeLabel":"Visa-free","frictionTier":0,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":true,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism until 31 December 2026. No visa needed, but the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) must be filed online within 3 days before arrival.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main"},{"destinationCode":"MV","destination":"Maldives","entryType":"visa-free","entryTypeLabel":"Visa-free","frictionTier":0,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"A free visa on arrival is granted to Indian nationals on landing, for up to 30 days. Carry a confirmed return ticket and proof of accommodation.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://immigration.gov.mv/"},{"destinationCode":"NP","destination":"Nepal","entryType":"visa-free","entryTypeLabel":"Visa-free","frictionTier":0,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":null,"note":"Freedom of movement under the 1950 Indo-Nepal treaty. Indian nationals may enter with a passport or a photo Voter ID; no visa is required.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.immigration.gov.np/"},{"destinationCode":"TH","destination":"Thailand","entryType":"visa-free","entryTypeLabel":"Visa-free","frictionTier":0,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":true,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism (from July 2026, previously 60). No visa needed, but the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be filed online before arrival.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://tdac.immigration.go.th/"},{"destinationCode":"ID","destination":"Indonesia","entryType":"visa-on-arrival","entryTypeLabel":"Visa on arrival","frictionTier":1,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Apply for the e-VOA online before flying (or get the visa on arrival), tourism only. Fee about IDR 500,000. Bali is a primary entry point.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.imigrasi.go.id/"},{"destinationCode":"QA","destination":"Qatar","entryType":"visa-on-arrival","entryTypeLabel":"Visa on arrival","frictionTier":1,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":false,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"A 30-day visa waiver is granted on arrival if you carry a confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking made through the Discover Qatar site for the whole stay (minimum two nights).","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.visitqatar.com/"},{"destinationCode":"AZ","destination":"Azerbaijan","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"All Indian nationals need the ASAN e-visa, applied for online (about USD 20). Approval arrives by email, no sticker.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://evisa.gov.az/"},{"destinationCode":"KH","destination":"Cambodia","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Apply online at the official e-visa portal before flying. Fee about USD 36. Pairs well with a Vietnam trip.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.evisa.gov.kh/"},{"destinationCode":"EG","destination":"Egypt","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Apply for the e-visa online before travel. A single-entry tourist e-visa is the usual route for Indian tourists.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/"},{"destinationCode":"GE","destination":"Georgia","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Apply for the e-visa online (about USD 20). Visa-free for up to 1 year if you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen, Japanese, Canadian, Australian or GCC visa or residence permit.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.evisa.gov.ge/"},{"destinationCode":"JP","destination":"Japan","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":90,"note":"Japan issues an eVisa for tourism, but applications from India must be made through an accredited travel agency (not the self-service eVISA website).","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html"},{"destinationCode":"KE","destination":"Kenya","entryType":"eta","entryTypeLabel":"Electronic travel authorisation","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":90,"note":"An Electronic Travel Authorisation is mandatory online before travel (fee about USD 32.50). Submit at least 3 days before arrival.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.etakenya.go.ke/"},{"destinationCode":"OM","destination":"Oman","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Apply for the e-visa online before travel. A 14-day visa on arrival is available instead for Indians holding a valid US, UK, Schengen, Canadian, Australian or Japanese visa or GCC residence.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://evisa.rop.gov.om/"},{"destinationCode":"RU","destination":"Russia","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":null,"note":"Apply online for the unified e-visa before travel (fee about USD 40). Valid for short tourism and business stays.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://evisa.kdmid.ru/"},{"destinationCode":"LK","destination":"Sri Lanka","entryType":"eta","entryTypeLabel":"Electronic travel authorisation","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"An ETA is mandatory online before travel. Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is free of charge for Indian nationals, but it must still be obtained in advance.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.eta.gov.lk/"},{"destinationCode":"TR","destination":"Türkiye","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Indian nationals qualify for the online e-visa only if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit; otherwise a sticker visa from the consulate is required.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.evisa.gov.tr/"},{"destinationCode":"AE","destination":"United Arab Emirates","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"Indian citizens holding a valid US visa, UK/EU residence permit or green card may be eligible for a visa on arrival instead.","lastVerified":"2026-07-16","officialSource":"https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id"},{"destinationCode":"VN","destination":"Vietnam","entryType":"eVisa","entryTypeLabel":"eVisa","frictionTier":2,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":90,"note":"Apply online at the official portal before flying. Single or multiple entry; a white-background photo is required and grey backgrounds are auto-rejected.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://evisa.gov.vn/"},{"destinationCode":"CN","destination":"China","entryType":"visa","entryTypeLabel":"Visa required in advance","frictionTier":3,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"A tourist (L) visa is required, applied for through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre with a sticker in the passport. There is no e-visa route for Indian tourists.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.visaforchina.cn/"},{"destinationCode":"EU","destination":"Schengen Area","entryType":"visa","entryTypeLabel":"Visa required in advance","frictionTier":3,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":90,"note":"Indian passport holders generally need a short-stay Schengen visa. The stay limit is 90 days in any 180-day period.","lastVerified":"2026-07-16","officialSource":"https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa_en"},{"destinationCode":"SG","destination":"Singapore","entryType":"visa","entryTypeLabel":"Visa required in advance","frictionTier":3,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":30,"note":"An entry visa is required and can only be submitted through an authorised visa agent using the electronic visa system; walk-in applications are not accepted.","lastVerified":"2026-07-19","officialSource":"https://www.ica.gov.sg/"},{"destinationCode":"GB","destination":"United Kingdom","entryType":"visa","entryTypeLabel":"Visa required in advance","frictionTier":3,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":null,"note":"Indian passport holders generally need a Standard Visitor visa before travelling; a UK ETA is not a substitute.","lastVerified":"2026-07-16","officialSource":"https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa"},{"destinationCode":"US","destination":"United States","entryType":"visa","entryTypeLabel":"Visa required in advance","frictionTier":3,"preDepartureApprovalRequired":true,"digitalArrivalCardRequired":false,"allowedStayDays":null,"note":"Indian passport holders are not eligible for ESTA and generally need a B1/B2 visitor visa for short tourism or business visits.","lastVerified":"2026-07-16","officialSource":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html"}]}