Visa on Arrival for Indian Passport Holders
There are around 50+ countries which provides Visa on Arrival to Indian Passport Holders. However, I am not going to write about all of them because normally more than 30+ of these countries are not on the radar for the average Indian. In this article, I am going to tell you the best places where you can travel with an Indian Passport without the hassles of getting a visa beforehand.
1. INDONESIA
This was the very first country which I had visited. Indonesia is visa free (meaning that you don't even need a Visa). Immigration will just stamp your passport with a "visa exempted" stamp and let you into the country. You can stay a maximum of 30 days with this visa exemption scheme. This 30 days is more than enough to tour Bali and Jakarta, the two main places frequented by tourists.
Bali is very affordable. Although the currency is highly devalued, prices are almost the same as in India, so you don't feel much of a pinch.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around August/September
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Estimated money required for a budget trip (Bali only): About Rs 60,000 per person all inclusive for a 7 day basic trip (excluding water sports and other island tours)
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Visa Fee: Free for 30 days
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Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc. Indian Rupee is not widely accepted for converting in Bali and hence is not recommended to take it.
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The Hotel where I stayed: I had stayed near Seminyak Beach at Ping Hotel Seminyak. The hotel is a budget hotel and reasonably priced and just about 5 minutes walking distance to Seminyak Beach. CLICK HERE TO BOOK PING HOTEL SEMINYAK.
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Recommended Days to Stay: Minimum 7 days to 10 days.
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2. THAILAND
Thailand is another place where Indians can get a Visa on Arrival. It is very easy to get provided you have the necessary requirements in hand. Keep in mind that there is a strict requirement of having return flight tickets and confirmed hotel bookings for your entire duration of stay. In case you do not have it, you may be denied a visa. Immigration rules also require a cash in hand of 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family. Although this is rarely checked by immigration authorities, it is always better to be prepared and keep this amount as cash in hand.
Tip: If you are visiting Phuket, then take a direct flight to Phuket (if it is budget friendly). Visa takes about 15-2- minutes at Phuket airport compared to 1 hour to 2 hours at Bangkok airport.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around November to February
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 50,000 per person all inclusive for a 7 day basic trip (excluding water sports and other island tours)
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Visa Fee: 2000 Baht (Presently it is waived)
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Currency: Thai Baht
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc. (Indian Rupee is also accepted in Thailand for conversions)
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The Hotels/Hostels where I stayed: I had stayed at The Minotel Hotel in Phuket, Wake Up Aonang in Krabi and 1Sabai hostel.
The Minotel Hotel is a small boutique hotel run by a lovely couple. It is a budget hotel just walking distance to Patong Beach. However, there is no lift and hence you have to drag your luggage upto third floor. So opt for the lower floors.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE MINOTEL HOTEL.
Wake Up Aonang is a nice hotel in Krabi near walking distance to Ao Nang Beach.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK AO NANG HOTEL.
1 Sabai is a budget hostel in Bangkok about 10-15 minutes walking distance to Terminal 21 mall. Private room booking is recommended in case you don't want to stay in a dormitory. However, the washrooms are all common and is outside the rooms.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK 1 SABAI HOSTEL.
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Recommended Days to Stay: Minimum 7 days to 10 days.
3. MALDIVES
Maldives is another beautiful place frequented by Indians. It is a small island in South Asia and have direct flights from Kochi and the flight duration is hardly around 2 hours. Visitors to the Maldives do not need to apply for a visa pre-arrival, regardless of their country of origin, provided they have a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and the money to be self-sufficient while in the country.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around November to April
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 75,000 to Rs 1,25,000 per person a 4 day basic trip (excluding water sports etc)
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Visa Fee: Free
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Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc.
4. SEYCHELLES
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. It's home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves. All foreign nationals visiting Seychelles are granted visa free access. They must be in a possession of a valid passport, return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds. Seychelles is comparatively costlier than Bali. Accommodation in Seychelles is on the costlier side since most of the hotels and resorts there are luxury properties and villas by the beach.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around April, May and October, November
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 75,000 to Rs 1,25,000 per person a 4 day basic trip (excluding water sports etc)
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Visa Fee: Free
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Currency: Seychellois rupee
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc.
5. MAURITIUS
The Republic of Mauritius, an island country in the Indian Ocean, lies east of Madagascar and the south-east African coast. Its nearest neighbour is the French island of Réunion. The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny. Indian Nationals travellng to Mauritius for tourist or business purposes will be granted a 60 day visa on arrival provided that they have a valid return ticket, hotel booking and have adequate funds to meet the cost of their stay.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around May to December
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,50,000 per person a 5 day basic trip (excluding water sports etc)
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Visa Fee: Free
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Currency: Mauritian Rupee
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc.
6. MADAGASCAR
Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, and previously known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately 400 kilometres off the coast of East Africa. Modest clothing is advisable in the bigger towns and cities in Madagascar, however in the lodges and camps and on the beaches at the coast, it is perfectly fine to wear shorts and shirts.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around April to November
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 1,25,000 to Rs 1,50,000 per person a 5 day basic trip (excluding water sports etc)
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Visa Fee: About Rs 3000
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Currency: Malagasy ariary
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc.
7. CAMBODIA
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum's historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country's northwest are the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around November to April
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per person a 7 day basic trip
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Visa Fee: About Rs 1500
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Currency: Cambodian Riel
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc.
8. LAOS
Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries. The Lao government issues 30-day tourist visas on arrival at all international airports and most international border crossings. The whole process is very straightforward. You need to have a valid passport with some blank pages, recent passport-size photographs, a confirmed return ticket and all of the documents stating your hotel reservations.
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Recommended Time to travel: Around November to March
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Estimated money required for a budget trip: About Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per person a 7 day basic trip
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Visa Fee: About Rs 2200
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Currency: Lao kip
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Recommended Currency to carry: US Dollars or any major currency like Euro, Pound etc.
There are many other destinations which provides either Visa Free Access or Visa on Arrival for Indian Passport Holders. However, I have not provided any information on those destinations because it is very less frequented by Indians. The countries mentioned above have the highest visit rates from India. Also please note that Visa Regulations are subject to change at any moment without any prior warning. So it is always advisable to consult the embassy of the particular country prior to travel. The Indian Nomad takes no responsibility for any losses arising due to any change in Visa Regime.
Please note that some of the above links provided in this article are affiliate links. If you book anything from the links, then I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps a lot in paying for website hosting and other incidentals.
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