While travelling to foreign countries can be fun, the process of getting there can be very tedious. You need to get a range of documents to be able to enter a foreign country. One of the most important documents you need to travel to a foreign land is a visa. You would also need a travel insurance policy to protect you from medical and non-medical emergencies. Many countries have made it mandatory for tourists to have a valid travel medical insurance policy of a certain minimum amount too.
What is Visa on Arrival?
Countries issue a visa to people from other countries so that they can control the influx of foreigners and curb illegal and criminal activities. While it makes sense for them to keep a close eye on who is entering the country and why by issuing visas, for most travellers, this takes the thrill out of an international trip. You can’t get up one morning and decide to visit Poland or New Zealand. You will need to get your visa application approved even before you book your tickets.
While applying for a visa can be a lengthy process, it is not for a few countries. You, as a tourist, can land in those countries and get a tourist visa from immigration. This is known as Visa on Arrival. So, an impromptu international trip can still be possible – albeit to a limited number of countries.
There are 60 countries that offer a visa on arrival for Indians.
Countries That Grant a Visa on Arrival to Indians
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Palau Islands
- Samoa
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Iran
- Jordan
- Oman
- Qatar
- Albania
- Serbia
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Macao (SAR China)
- Maldives
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Bolivia
- El Salvador
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Cape Verde Islands
- The Comoro Islands
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
Of these, the most visited destinations are:
● Thailand
One of the most popular destinations in South East Asia, Thailand is popular for its amazing beaches, culture, shopping, and parties, among other things. Thailand offers a visa on arrival for Indian passport holders for 15 days and costs ₹46,000.
● Mauritius
Pristine waters, relaxed people, and a range of sea-based activities are some of the things that come to mind when one thinks of Mauritius. The country offers a free visa on arrival for Indian passport holders for 90 days.
● Indonesia
Ancient architecture, mesmerising landscapes, rich culture, unique flora and fauna, and Bali are an embodiment of Thailand. It offers a memorable experience to all kinds of travellers. The country offers a visa on arrival to Indians. However, if you are planning to travel for less than 30 days, then you don’t need a visa at all.
● Nepal
Nepal is a popular trek destination located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. It has a rich culture and heritage and a lot of history to keep you interested for many days. If you are an Indian passport holder, then you can enter Nepal without a visa for up to 150 days free of cost.
● Hong Kong
Think luxury, class, and style, and Hong Kong would feature at the top of the list. The country offers visas on arrival for Indians for 14 days for an issuance fee of ₹1,750 only.
Conclusion
With so many countries offering a visa on arrival for Indian passport holders, it is time to start travelling internationally in an impromptu manner. However, make sure that you get an international travel insurance policy based on your needs. With most providers offering policies online, you can get instant travel insurance at an affordable cost or, at least, get a travel insurance quote from different insurance websites for comparison. In case of any emergencies, you can claim travel insurance policy compensation and reduce the financial impact of the situation.
